Champagne on ice as Tafic visit in-form Chadibe
Tafic are nearly there. The Premier League is in sight, the equation simple, the champagne on ice.
Before the drinks can flow, however, the First Division North leaders have one final hurdle to overcome: Chadibe FC – and they have reason to spoil the party!
With three games to go, six points separate the table toppers from second-placed, Chadibe; come Saturday afternoon, the gap could be halved when Abafana Ba Jabulile host Matjimenyenga at the Chad Arena.
The top-of-the table clash pits the league’s top defence against its best attack. In 19 games, Tafic’s backline has been breached just eight times (seven less than anyone else) while Chadibe have hit the back of the net on 36 occasions (nine more than the next best).
In Chadibe, Tafic are up against the division’s in-form side, a team that has slowly but surely eaten into a gap which at one pont in the season stood at 11 points.
The rejuvenated Chadibe outfit, who have scored 10 goals in their last three matches, have everything to play for; they also have everything to lose!
While automatic qualification is unlikely, but still possible, the promotional play-offs are well in reach; indeed they currently hold pole position, although the chasing pack are within striking distance.
“A victory for us will be like killing two birds with one stone,” admitted the club’s optimistic Secretary General, Modiri Mpugwa.
Speaking to Voice Sport on Wednesday, the SG said, “”We can’t afford to slip up. Only one result will work for us on Saturday; a win which will give us a shot at the play-offs and automatic promotion, with the gap at the top reduced to just three points.”
A loss would hand the initiative to Mahalapye Railway Highlanders, who trail Chadibe by just two points and take on a fading Mbalakalungu FC at the Railways Grounds, while both Motlakase Power Dynamos and Santa Green are a further three points behind.
When the two teams met in Ghetto late last year, Tafic ran out 2-0 winners.
It was a scoreline that flattered the Reds, a point Mpugwa was quick to highlight, noting, “We missed a lot of chances in the first leg, however this Saturday we’re home, and we’re ready.”
He believes that having former Tafic players, like no-nonsense, Samuel Phiri in their ranks gives them enough ammunition to slap Matjimenyenga back into the first division.
“Despite limited financial backing, the hunger within the players and the unity with the team leadership have sustained us and ensured we are challenging for honours,” Mpugwa continued, before making a bold declaration.
“We are winning this one!” he concluded with confidence.
“Not a chance,” was Tafic Chairman, Tumelo Toteng equally emphatic retort.
“This league belongs to Tafic. We’re heading to the Premier League,” he hit back.
Coach, Thatayaone Sonny was slightly more diplomatic in his response.
“I don’t want to put my players under unnecessary pressure. I told them to approach the match just like any other game,” he said.
The mild-mannered tactician, a teacher at Donga JSS, insisted such games are won mentally before a ball is even kicked in anger.
“If we are strong mentally, we’ll be crowned Champions on Saturday. Our opponents have good individual players, but equally so do we; that’s why we are at the top of the log,” was Sonny’s sunny assessment.
Calling on Tafic supporters to come in large numbers and rally behind the team, he ended cheerfully, “I’m not telling anyone to bring champagne bottles, those loyal to the team will know what to bring.”
Kick-off is 1530.
