TAFIC worry of banana skins
The pride of the north is looking to win their first ever title in their 64-year history. The championship will only be the second from a team in the north and the first after close to two decades. There is some confidence within the team's ranks with head coach, Elias Chinyemba, this week declaring: "This could be our year." He was speaking after a 0-0 midweek draw against fellow title rivals, Township Rollers. The stalemate, however, saw TAFIC drop two points behind joint leaders, Jwaneng Galaxy and Gaborone United (GU). One would feel TAFIC might breath a sigh of relief, as the Rollers tie was the last against the teams in contention. However, Chinyemba said the lower placed teams are the hardest to beat and he expressed worries over banana skins. "The most difficult teams to play against are the ones in the lower half of the table and those in the mid-half of the table, who are not playing to avoid relegation or to win the league. So those are the games we are left with. Those are banana skins but we will try to play the normal game. We will not try to give our boys any pressure we are just going to play normal TAFIC game," he said. Chinyemba said his team's chances could be further enhanced by the fact that four of the teams in contention are yet to face each other but emphasised that TAFIC should not heavily rely on the other sides. "We will play our game and everyone plays their own games. We will not rely on any other team. We are going to play our games and see how many points we can get but I have a feeling that this might be our year," he said.
Galaxy look to overcome injury woes
The champions remain unbeaten thus far and they are the only team in the league not to taste a defeat. Their chase for a third consecutive title might be the most demanding. The team is not picking as many wins their faithful would want but it is a good thing that they are not losing either. Seemo Mpatane, the team's interim head coach, has raised concerns over a tight April schedule where they play four games in a space of 14 days. Mpatane is worried that squad depth has trimmed down due to injuries. The team is without Wendell Rudath, Kutlwelo Mpolokang, Onkabetse Makgantai and Omaatla Kebatho due to injuries. Mpatane believes they are the only unlucky team this season as he said he has 10 players either nursing injuries or looking for match fitness. The injury woes would not have come at a worse time as Galaxy would need to claim the remaining 18 points to make it three championship wins in three seasons. "I think the most important thing for us, like I keep on saying, is not to be left behind. It is important that we worry about ourselves not about what other teams are doing. The most important thing is to win games," said Mpatane.
Rollers to tweak fight mentality
The Blues are having a battle to extend their league titles to 17. After losing by just a point in the previous season, Rollers had high hopes they would break their five-year barren run in this campaign. Moroccan tactician, Abdelaziz Karkache, is the man tasked with ending the drought. He was appointed as an upgrade to Mogomotsi Mpote but the pressure has piled on the North African as his side is now placed fourth and with an inferior goal difference compared to the rest of the chasing six. Rollers looked the better side against TAFIC but failed to make the most of their chances. Karkache said his team needs just a bit of individual brilliance to keep the results flowing. He is of the thought that Rollers is amongst the leaders in terms of chances created but have been let down by their final third decision-making. Karkache has put this down to a lack of fighting spirit, an issue which he said does not affect Rollers but the local football scene. "The football of Botswana (sic) has a lot of good players, technical and intelligent players, but they are not physical. They do not have a mentality of other players in Algeria or Morocco, for an example. I am frustrated too, we need to have more strong mentality. We want to focus match by match because we need to win but football of these days is more psychological, not tactical or physical," he said. Rollers are two points behind the joint-leaders and level with TAFIC.
Pantev's GU picking form at the right time
The red side of the city is quietly getting on their strides and this is at the most critical time of the season. Dimitar Pantev was off to a slow start at GU but has seen his side ascend to the second spot after the midweek action. GU at one point looked out with the leaders' gap widening. The Reds have made it four wins in five games since they were knocked out of the FA Cup competition, thus making a full comeback into the title race. The run kicked off with a 2-1 win over relegation threatened Flamengo Santos after the international break. Their championship ambitions were nearly spoiled by their former coach, Pontsho Moloi-led Chiefs to a 1-0 win. GU returned to winning ways with 2-0 win over embattled Security Systems before they fought hard to claim a 3-2 away win over Orapa United. In midweek, The Reds' party was nearly spoiled by minnows, Chadibe FC, through a late Thabo Maponda goal to claim a 1-0 away win. Despite the positive outlook, Pantev will look to stamp his authority from the start as in the last two games they had to complete their business in the second half.
Sua and Chiefs wait on the wings
With eyes on the leading four, Sua Flamingoes and Chiefs will be looking to capitalise in the event the quartet drop points. The pair is level on 43 points, placed fifth and sixth as they sit on five behind the log leaders. The two sides will be proud of their mid-season head coach changes, as Nikola Kavazovic and Moloi have turned things around for their respective teams. Sua have proven they can claim points against the title chasers with a win away to Rollers being a testament. Despite a sluggish start, the team has climbed up the log thanks to a series of recent good results. Magosi on the other hand, will know a win over blood rivals, Rollers over the weekend will boost their title chances. Magosi will play two of the title chasing teams and have a chance of diverting honours their way.
