Matjimenyenga wrapped up the Debswana First Division North League title race last weekend with one round of matches left.
TAFIC’s promotion comes in the wake of an emotional two-year period in which the football fraternity in the city endured mixed feelings.
Firstly, Francistown had to undergo a difficult 12 months of no Premier League football after TAFIC were relegated to the Debswana First Division North. At the time, TAFIC were their only hope and their relegation left the city with no Premier League side.
The following season TAFIC were nearly relegated to the regional leagues but miraculously survived after Eleven Angels gained promotion to the elite league through a playoff. Angels’ success did not only mean Premier League football was back in the city but they also saved Francistown from losing arguably the most supported football club in the region to the lowest ranks of local football structures.
This season, the Obed Itani Chilume Stadium was not only reserved for national team matches but also hosted Eleven Angels’ home games. The promotion of TAFIC now means the city will have two Premier League sides next season. Termed the ‘greatest escape’, it appears TAFIC had to learn the hard way before they realised they had to make some serious changes.
Their escape paved the way for the commercialisation of the club, which is now under private ownership. The arrival of Petrohyper, the oil and gas products company as the club’s independent investor, brought stability to the side. The company acquired a 90% stake in the club late last year. For the first time after years of struggle, the club never experienced issues of non-payment of players and the technical team and the results on the field of play were evident. Since the beginning of the season, TAFIC raised their hands as one of the favourites in the league. At some point, they were running closely behind newcomers, Mbalakalungu until the Parakarungu side suffered a slump.
TAFIC assumed the first position until last weekend when they were finally confirmed as the Debswana First Division North league champions. They wrap up the season with an away encounter against Peace Makers tomorrow. TAFIC’s promotion paves the way for the Francistown derby next season in the Premier League against Eleven Angels.
The latter has already secured their status in the elite league. Whether TAFIC will manage to emulate Angels and stay afloat in their first season after promotion remains to be seen but club chairperson, Tumelo Toteng has already made promises. Speaking to journalists after TAFIC’s promotion last weekend, Toteng revealed that the club investors have committed adequate resources to the club so that it maintains its status in the elite league next season. “Supporters will not see TAFIC alternating between the FDN and Premier League.
That will not happen. We will be very stable. This is the start of great things,” Toteng told journalists last weekend where he also revealed a three-year strategy.
