TAFIC, bidding to become only the second side from the northern side of Dibete to win the national title, has emerged as Francistown’s trusted representative in the Premier League this season. ECCO City Greens stunned the local football family in 2007 when they cantered to a surprise league triumph, in the process, finding their way into the annals of history.
The meat boys from Francistown became the first side to carry the Premier League trophy across the Dibete cordon fence.
Almost 18 years later, the ECCO record remains but stands as a sobering reminder of the imbalances in local football with power heavily skewed towards sides concentrated within a 150km radius of the capital city. All the domestic league titles have been shared by sides in or around Gaborone, with sides from the north mostly feeding on crumbs and fighting for survival.
Of the current Premier League cohort from the north, TAFIC has raised its hand, the highest in a quest to obliterate an 18-year-old record. But already, the odds appear stacked against the Reds of the north.
With fewer sides in the north, it means TAFIC spend more time on the road compared to their title rivals in Gaborone. Defending champions, Jwaneng Galaxy have a lesser taxing travel schedule as they mostly make the 300km round trip to the capital where there is a concentration of Premier League sides. In contrast, TAFIC’s one-way trip to the capital stands at around 440km.
As the two reds prepare for the battle of the colours at the tiny Botswana Public Service College Stadium this evening, TAFIC starts on the back foot against their hosts.
The Reds of the south are more resourced and have more cup triumphs compared to TAFIC. Despite the evident gulf in class, TAFIC have shown resilience this season, in the process earning the nickname, Kasongo, as they chase an unlikely league success. Whilst GU has able city companions in Township Rollers, who lead the log, there is no such luxury for TAFIC as their nearest neighbours, Chadibe FC are singing the blues at the wrong end of the table.
There are 13 places and 26 points between TAFIC and Chadibe, with the newcomers amongst the favourites to drop straight back to the First Division.
The first-leg encounter saw the Reds share the spoils in Francistown and a positive result against GU this evening will be a huge statement of intent from a side that relies on the goal-scoring prowess of Jean Lwamba.
Their coach, Elias Chinyemba, is now a scotch-shirted trusted magician who has had previous success with TAFIC, albeit in the lower division. GU, on the other hand, are battling to keep pace with leaders, Rollers, after a technical team shake-up following the departure of Pontsho Moloi to rivals, Mochudi Centre Chiefs.
