17 Feb 2025

Francistown based FNB Premiership outfit TAFIC has taken yet another giant step in their quest to clinch the highly coveted title after a narrow 1-0 away victory over BDF XI at Royal Aria Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

‘Matjimenyenga Boys’ as Tafic are fondly known returned to pole position in the local top flight football league as their closest rivals Township Rollers suffered a shocking 1-3 loss to Morupule Wanderers at Palapye Stadium.

In a post-match interview TAFIC mentor Elias Chinyemba applauded his charges’ never give up attitude, which he said was the same character that inspired his players to defend and attack as a unit.

Though pleased with his defensive line, Chinyemba said the weather affected their play.
Nevertheless, it was the nippy new signee and second half substitute Botsile Kebaikanye who made all the difference on the 78th minute pulling a left footed strike outside the box to break the ice.

To prove their mettle in front of goal, TAFIC fancied going ahead on the fifth minute of the first half, but BDF XI goal minder Mooketsi Mogotsi easily collected Amogelang Reetsang’s tame effort.

Towards the hour mark, the two teams battled to unlock each other with both displaying watertight defensive lines.

BDF XI unleashed a counter attack breaking from the midfield after some impressive passing and Rentse Keakabetse nudged in a rebound from a well-taken shot by Ronald Setshego, but the exciting Thabo Dambe in the TAFIC last line of defence easily collected his second attempt.

It was a cagey affair in the opening minutes of the second stanza with the visitors throwing in numbers in attack.

Kebaikanye who was thrown in immediately after the break collected a pass a few metres away from the opponents’ danger zone, controlled with his left boot and scooped a looping shot to the top left with Mogotsi well beaten.

After the goal, the visitors remained on the front foot and nearly doubled their lead, but their top marksman Jean Lwamba, who had a quiet afternoon had his effort blocked. The opposing side, BDF XI attacking midfielder Pelontle Lerole should have levelled matters from a low shot with only Dambe to beat, but his effort was comfortably dealt with.

In other league games played on Saturday, Matebele FC continued their impressive run scalping Union Flamingo Santos 3-1 at BPSC Stadium. Extension Gunners made it back-to-back victories after coming from behind to beat Orapa United 2-1 at Itekeng Stadium. ENDS