The Francistown based side dropped two crucial points against Magosi, which could have put them two points ahead of other title chasers as they played 2-2 draw. Reacting to the result, Chinyemba was left fuming, questioning the referee’s decisions as he pointed out that the official cost them the three points. “We were in a position to get three points and I would say the referee’s decisions did not go our way. From where I was sitting, that was not a penalty on any day but it was given and they found their way back into the game,” Chinyemba said. The Zimbabwean gaffer further stressed that it is quite unfortunate the issue of refereeing locally will always be a point of reference as week in and week out there are always such issues. “We are playing well and it is unfortunate that the issue of refereeing in Botswana is getting out of hand.
Coaches are working very hard every week to prepare their teams but with this kind of refereeing, we are not going anywhere in Botswana football,” he said. He further called for immediate solutions in the fraternity of officiating locally as it ruins the beautiful game of football that should flow seamlessly without any favours from officials. “We are working hard and if they can improve their refereeing, we could be somewhere. For instance, if they were good today we could have gotten three points today; how was that a penalty?” asked Chinyemba rhetorically. As a high stakes game and league glory on sight with only seven games to coming into the clash, the fixture served it all, flair, goals and entertainment. Both teams did not sit back as they fought for maximum points but their efforts were not enough in the first half. It was only in the second half when the deadlock was broken. TAFIC were the first to find the back of the net on the 60th minute through Shanganani Ngada. Ngada connected with a well-put free kick inside the box after the home side gave a silly free-kick on the edge of the box.
Problems ran deep for Magosi as TAFIC found a succession goal in space of a minute. Centre chiefs goalkeeper parried the ball on the way of rushing Thatayaone Nkwapa who easily composed himself and tapped it inside the net to put his side two goals up on the 62nd minute. Magosi made key substitutions immediately including Dirang Moloi hoping to turn the scores around. With 10 minutes left on the clock, Dumisani Kubane was brought down inside the box and referee pointed to the spot with no hesitation. Ronaldo Fortune stepped up for the penalty and easily converted pulling one back for his side. Chiefs did not put their foot off the pedal and probed for an equaliser, which came on the 93rd minute through Jackson Lesole after being set up by substitute Moloi. Magosi thought they had won it when they scored the third goal but the linesman had already raised the flag for offside. Chief’s head coach, Pontsho Moloi, was left in awe of the grit and strength his side displayed to walk away with a point. “It was a difficult game to be honest when you go one goal down and you try to go back and then you concede again. It becomes even more steeper for you to recover but here we are with the quality and the zeal of the boys I have. We managed to walk away with a point,” Moloi said.
The teams:
Centre Chiefs: Ofentse Tauyatswala, Kgosietsile Ernest (Dirang Moloi), Thami Zulu, Benson Mangolo, Jackson Lesole, Monty Enosa (Tefo Mofokeng), Keitumetse Samunzala, Razeen Bennet (Resaobaka Thatanyane), Ronaldo Fortune (Pako Gaofose), Legend Monyake, Dumisani Kubane.
TAFIC: Prince Mooketsi, Rebaone Joseph, Nkgomotsang Malau, Kemoneetswe Mmangwedi, Shanganani Ngada, Manda Nongo, Kazadi Kalombo (Jean Lwamba), Amogelang Reetsang, Martin Daka, Theo Shadikong, Thatayaone Nkwapa.
Centre Chiefs 2 (Fortune 80th, Lesole 93rd) TAFIC 2 (Ngada 60th, 62nd Nkwapa)
