Acid test for TAFIC, Moyo in Jwaneng
Kabelo Boranabi | Friday January 10, 2025 06:00
It is a mouth-watering tie as the surprise log leaders take on reigning champions, Galaxy, on Saturday afternoon at the Galaxy Stadium. In their first attempt to mine three points against another diamond mining side, TAFIC lost 1-0 to Orapa United in what was their first defeat this season. Fans and pundits alike will hope incessant rains are a good omen for goals in a fixture that has only seen nine goals in the last five matches. The visitors have not won against Galaxy since the 1-0 win in November 2017. TAFIC went on to lose three games against their weekend's opponent in the last five meetings as the two teams settled for a draw once last February.
TAFIC has in this period found the back of the net on just two occasions as Galaxy scored seven. In their previous encounter, the champions bagged three points with a 2-0 win at home. TAFIC now return to Galaxy's den a much-rejuvenated side. The team has enjoyed the longest stay at the summit of the log standings this season and a win over the weekend will increase their chances of a first ever league title. TAFIC are the league's goal-busters as they are in the lead with a total of 24 goals in 12 encounters, making an average of two goals per game. The team sits level with Galaxy with the defensive record, conceding on just six occasions.
Matjimenyenga are fresh from a morale-boosting 6-0 win over bottom-placed Flamengo Santos. Galaxy's interim head coach, Blessing Moyo, would be aware of the task that comes with an assignment against TAFIC. Upon taking over the role, Moyo has not really settled as he has managed a single win in three games, a 1-0 win over struggling Extension Gunners. Under Moyo, the team has, however, not tasted defeat but kept a single clean sheet. Moyo has rather been goal-shy as they managed an average of one goal per game, a poor record compared to a record of just over two goals per game before Moyo's three-game reign. The Galaxy Stars' chances will be boosted by the absence of the league's safest gloveman, Thabo Dambe, as he will be missing from the TAFIC squad due to suspension. A win for the mining side will pull them level with TAFIC with a game more while the visitors will hope to stretch their lead with second-placed Rollers breathing heavily on their neck, just two points adrift.
In other games, VTM FC welcome Rollers at the VTM Arena on Saturday afternoon whilst Gaborone United are in action against BDF XI at the BPSC Stadium. Sua Flamingoes travel to the Lobatse Sports Complex where Matebele FC lie in wait whilst struggling sides, Chadibe FC and Extension Gunners clash at the Old Francistown Stadium. On Sunday afternoon, Flamengo Santos meet Morupule Wanderers at the BPSC Stadium whilst new-look Mochudi Centre Chiefs welcome Nico United at the VTM Stadium. All the games will kick off at 4pm whilst Security Systems have a weekend off due to Orapa United's CAF Confederations Cup commitments.