Tafic keen to move on from mini blip
An alleged coup d’etat brewing at high-flying Tafic Football Club, which threatened to derail Matjimenyenga’s season, has seemingly blown itself out.
A fortnight ago, in a move that caused shockwaves through the club and made the back page of The Voice, Tafic Chairman, Tumelo Toteng, tendered his resignation following what he termed undue influence from a section of supporters.
His resignation coincided with the suspension of tactician, Mohambi Saulosi who had guided the club to the top of the Debswana First Division North table.
The tumultuous week reached fever pitch for the Reds that Saturday, with the team registering their second loss of the campaign, a humbling 2-0 defeat away to Santa Green in Mahalapye.
Fast forward to this Wednesday, the Chairman is back in office, and an exciting new coach, Thatayaone Sonny has taken over the reins at Leseding Grounds as the Francistowners look to extend their four-point lead at the summit.
“My resignation was rejected by the Petrohyper Management. We’ve decided to put everything behind us, and move forward as a united front to take Tafic back into the Premier League,” explained Toteng, adding the issues has been decisively dealt with.
The 35-year-old insists they parted ways with Saulosi was amicably, adding he has every confidence that Sonny would prove an apt replacement.
“He knows this team very well, he knows the players and he’s excited to be here,” declared Toteng, who urged the Tafic faithful to get behind the new boss.
“Together we’ve only one task, that’s to gain promotion. We’re focused, our eyes are on the ball,” Toteng told Voice Sport.
Reiterating the Chairman’s sentiments, Sonny said he was excited to join the Francistown giants.
‘Uncle’ or ‘Maluda’ as he’s known, admitted being the main man at a big brand like Tafic was a huge step up for him, but stressed it was one he believed he was ready to make.
The tactician has impressed with Eleven Angels this season, acting as assistant to Seemo Mpatane.
However, Sonny said it was an easy decision to swap the Premier League for the second tier, as, despite their recent struggles, Tafic remain a huge draw.
“I’m happy because most of the players here are very young. I’m a teacher and work with a lot of young people,” said the former Chobe United Coach.
The Donga Junior Secondary School Educator told Voice Sport that he loved the hunger displayed by his players during practice.
“They’re young, but their work rate is amazing!” added Sonny.
Matjimenyenga take on a struggling Miscellaneous on Sunday at the Old Francistown Stadium. Rooted to the bottom of the league with just two wins from 12 games, the Serowe outfit made changes of their own this week, appointing Chipa Koolese as new Head Coach.
“It’s a tricky encounter coming up against a team fighting for survival. We’ve to be cautious in our approach. One thing that we need to guard against is complacency, and this has been my message at training this week. Being at the bottom of the league does not mean an easy match, we’ve to be at our very best to extend our lead at the top,” was Sonny’s assessment of his first match in charge.