Matjimenyenga leave it late in VTM victory
The Red Revolution is gaining momentum.
After overcoming Gaborone United in midweek, TAFIC FC continued their winning ways at the weekend, beating VTM 2-1 at the Old Francistown Stadium in a feisty affair that produced nine yellow cards and one red.
Even by their unpredictable standards, it’s been a whirlwind few days for Matjimenyenga.
Last Tuesday, the club parted ways with popular Head Coach, Phillimon Makwengwe – it remains unclear whether he quit or was sacked.
Seemingly in disarray, a day later they stunned GU in Ghetto, Caretaker Coach, Kopanelo Maleke, leading the team to a victory that all but ended the Money Machine’s title hopes.
With the rollercoaster that is TAFIC, highs are normally followed by lows.
However, there was to be no Sunday hangover against VTM, the Reds coming from a goal down to snatch all three points thanks to impact substitute, Boemo Lekorwe’s late winner.
The lanky forward had only been on the pitch a matter of minutes but showed great composure to tuck home man-of-the-match, Nyembo Aime’s low cross.
As the packed stadium went wild, no-one’s smile was bigger than Coach Maleke’s, who has done his chances of getting the job full-time no harm at all!
It was harsh on Coach Reuben Chikoti’s men, who played their part in what was an exciting game and, on the balance of play, deserved a draw.
The newly-promoted southerners took the lead in the 25th minute, Mmoloki Kebalepile beating TAFIC shot-stopper, Katlego Mbise, to the ball to head home Senatla Molefhe’s in-swinging corner.
They kept the advantage until the stroke of half-time, when Thabiso Bante out-jumped VTM gloveman, Lesang Senne, bravely meeting Thamani Muzila’s cross to head into an unguarded net.
Both keepers would have been better served staying on their lines.
The entertainment continued in the second half, VTM striking the bar and TAFIC thinking they’d scored with another header only for the linesman to rule it out for off-side.
With the tackles flying in and tensions rising, the referee was a busy man, handing out cards like a poker dealer at the casino.
In the end, it was VTM captain, Lucky Mokoena, whose luck ran out, sent off for a second bookable offence after voicing his frustrations at the whistle man for a questionable decision.
By that point, Lekorwe had already made his match-winning mark.
The result see TAFIC strengthen their hold of 5th position in the league, while Bafana Ba Dijabane remain 12th, two points above the relegation zone.
