Chinyemba watched his side fall 2-1 to Gaborone United (GU) in a FNB Premiership thriller played at BPSC Stadium on Friday evening. The defeat saw TAFIC drop two places below to the fourth spot after collecting only five points in their last five games. Chinyemba has, however, said following the Friday evening defeat, he is not worried about the team’s recent slump that saw them be dethroned from the top spot during this five-game period. The tactician said they are not worried but rather calm as they have been facing the top of the table teams.
He said he is confident that his side will get back on their good ride when they face mid to lower table teams later in the campaign. The gaffer’s worry is, however, the level of officiating the top flight league. Chinyemba said though the decisions have heavily affected his side, he sees them as ‘honest mistakes’ and called for proper match officials’ training for local football. “We are not qualified to officiate. We are only coaches but you would feel from the dugout that some decisions are just against us especially when we are playing these so called big teams in Botswana. On any other day, this is a game we should not have lost and as a coach it is not nice to talk about match officials but the powers being in Botswana should look at it. I do not think these referees are making biased decisions but they should be trained properly so we can get the best out of this league.
The football is good, the coaches are doing a lot of good work. I have played big teams and most coaches tactically are doing well but believe me if this game had ended other way, the GU coach would complain about the referees,” said Chinyemba. Under floodlights, the GU and TAFIC had lived to the hype despite the two teams heading for recess level at 0-0. TAFIC had thought they had taken the lead through Jean Lwamba early in the second half but the goal was pulled back for a foul. Sheikh Sesay for GU failed to put his side on the lead on the 55th minute. The Liberian international made up for his mistake two minutes later and headed GU into the lead. The visitors fought hard for an equaliser until Shanganani Ngada tucked in following a scramble in the box to make it 1-1 with 10 minutes to time. Three minutes later, Lebogang Ditsele made a run from the deep to meet a cross but his initial attempt was saved and slotted the rebound to restore GU’s lead.
The teams:
GU: Thabo Motswagole, Alford Velaphi, Tatenda Gora, Mannered Matsikidze, Mothusi Cooper, Lebogang Ditsele, Karabo Phiri, Mpho Kgaswane (Tshepo Maikano), Thatayaone Kgamanyane, Sheikh Sesay (Thabang Khuduga), Thabo Maponda
TAFIC: Thabo Dambe, Rebaone Joseph, Shanganani Ngada, Keletso Mmangwedi, Shaun Phillip, Manda Nongo, Theo Shadikong, Gauthier Kalombo (Modise Modipe), Thatayaone Nkwapa, Jean Lwamba, Amogelang Reetsang (Botsile Kebaikanye)
Cautions: Motswagole, Kgaswane, Mmangwedi, Ngada
GU 2 (Sesay 55th , Ditsele 83rd) TAFIC 1 (Ngada 80th)
