TAFIC, Rovers go down

Boitumelo Khutsafalo | Monday June 6, 2022 16:00

GOING DOWN: TAFIC will play in the Division One next season after failing to accumulate enough points to survive the relegation PIC: PHATSIMO KAPENG

TAFIC joined three other big guns, TASC, Francistown City Greens (formerly ECCO City Greens) and Great North Tigers (GNT) from the second city who have since been forgotten after going down to the regional leagues. TAFIC, who have been the only remaining giant with a rich football history, have struggled the entire season, winning only four out of 22 matches. They have played to a draw 10 times and lost eight times, scoring only 15 goals while conceding 26 in the process.

Matjimenyenga, as TAFIC are affectionately known to their supporters, boast one of the largest fan base in the country. Their latest demise now leaves Francistown in the hands of two emerging brands in local football, Eleven Angels and Calendar Stars. Eleven Angels in particular still have a chance to gain promotion to the Premier League if they win against Mochudi Centre Chiefs in the play-off. They finished second in the league, booking a spot in the play-off, which starts this coming weekend at the River Plate ground in Mochudi. They will then host the second leg in a week’s time.

Calendar Stars on the other hand finished ninth on the log standings with 27 points. They ended the season with a 1-1 draw against city rivals, Eleven Angels on Saturday. Before TAFIC’s demotion on Saturday, The Debswana First Division North had already witnessed the relegation of Maun Terrors who have only managed to win three matches the entire season. They finished the season with only 15 points, leaving only Sankoyo Bush Bucks as the only remaining side from Maun in the league.

Sankoyo ended the season on position six with 29 points. Down South, the last day of the league saw the relegation of Mochudi Rovers who despite their 3-0 win over Tlokweng United, could not garner enough points to survive the dreaded axe. Rovers ended the season with 21 points from 22 matches. They were hoping for a miracle on the last day, Uniao Flamengo Santos will lose to Broadhurst United. However, knowing that their fate remains in their hands, Santos came with guns blazing on the final day, beating Broadhurst United 3-1 to secure their spot in the First Division. Rovers joined Motaung Young Fighters in the regional football league. Young Fighters only managed to win two matches out of 22. They lost 1-0 to Matebejane on the last day.