The Jungle Kings are eyeing a quick return to the elite league after biting the dust in the previous campaign. The team enhanced their promotion chances with a 2-0 win over Taung Young Strikers in a First Division South League tie played at the Otse Stadium on Wednesday afternoon. A first half brace from Karabo Kelatlhilwe handed the team a massive three points at home.
Kelatlhilwe headed Takudzwa Bande’s pinpoint cross after 15 minutes to give his side the lead. He got his brace six minutes later as he drilled one to the bottom corner to make it 2-0. The cops missed a number of chances, especially in the dying minutes but Madivenga was happy to keep their promotion chase on course. Police XI remains three points in the lead as they climbed to 39 points following the midweek ties. Young Stars and Magosi FC are breathing on their neck, three and six points behind the leaders, respectively. The pair also maintained their chase after recording wins in midweek.
Young Stars had held 2-0 lead before City Polar came back to make it level at 2-2. But a late goal in the game granted Young Stars a vital win at home. At the Siga Grounds, Magosi recorded a slim 1-0 win over UB Hawks to remain third. The Jungle Kings would need six points from the available nine to return to the elite league. With a better goal difference ahead of their rivals, Madivenga believes his side could wrap up the campaign in their next fixture against UB Hawks. Police XI has a positive 23 goal difference as compared to Young Stars’ 10 and eight for Magosi.
“The next game we are taking on UB Hawks and it is a game we must win. If we win that game it means two of the teams are out of the race. The reason why am saying two teams would be out is that we can still lose our two (last) games and they win their two games. I do not think there is a team that can score 15 goals in two games unless otherwise and the football we are playing in the First Division I do not see a team conceding 10 or 15 goals,” said Madivenga.
The First Division South League will take a break this weekend for the Orange FA Cup quarterfinals. This evening, Notwane are in Tsabong to take on Desert Nxau as Tlokweng United and Sand Diamonds do battle at the Tlokweng VDC Grounds. The two games kick-off at 3pm.
