27 Jan 2025

Matebele FC got sweet revenge on log leaders, TAFIC FC, on Sunday after putting two goals past them without response in their opening game of the second round of the FNB Premiership. 

The revenge comes after TAFIC defeated Matebele 3-1 in Francistown during the last game of the first round. 

Matebele’s goals came courtesy of Tebogo Mogotsi and Mompati Mbidzo. 

Looking at the forms of both teams, perhaps TAFIC were lulled into false belief that the hosts will be a walk over, a mentality that Matebele gaffer, Sean Connor, believed would have been unfounded.

 “If you look at our games in the past, we have been playing good football just like we did today, only that we could not find any luck then, but today we showed a clinical side,” he said. 

Connor said the professional side of the game they showed against TAFIC is just what his team needs going forth. 

Connor also said he had no doubt that his team could play good football any time, provided they put the ball down.  “As you could see, there were periods in the first half when we cut them open. We nullified them and restricted them to high balls and we only need to play that way and also stop losing games,” he said. 

For his part, TAFIC assistant coach, Thatayaone Sonny said the loss is a result of poor display by his team from the first whistle. 

“We just didn’t come to the party today. We started slowly and failed to capitalise even on the rare chances that we got, especially in the first half,” he said 

He said the pattern was familiar as in the past, opponents have only come back to hurt them after they failed to convert their chances. 

As the transfer window draws to a close at the end of this month, Sonny said they have no plans to beef up the team.  “We should not panic just because of this loss. We are happy with the calibre of players that we have. 

These are the boys that have been winning games for us; they are working hard and giving their all and it is only that we lost today,” he said. 

The loss only marks a third time that TAFIC have lost maximum points this season, and they are still perched at the top of the log standings with 33 points, albeit only on goal difference from Township Rollers who collected maximum points through a solitary goal away to Security Systems.

Defending champions, Jwaneng Galaxy are also hot on the heals of the top two as they have collected 32 points from 16 games, while Gaborone United sits at position four with 30 points from as many games, making the top four an interesting close knit affair. ENDS