Gaokgorwe was speaking on Saturday after his side played to a goalless draw against another promotion chasing side, Calendars Stars at the Calderon Grounds.
Motlakase are at the summit of the First Division North (FDN) league table with 35 points from 19 outings, with three matches to complete the season. Second placed Chadibe FC who defeated visiting Sankoyo Bush Bucks at home are now on 32 points. Motlakase only need four months from their last three matches to gain promotion.
“For now, the most important thing for us is to avoid defeat. We still have many matches to play but if we avoid conceding and dropping maximum points, our chances for promotion will be very high,” he said. He added: “The tittle race is still very much open. What is key is to remain resilient and focused.
We are doing our best to keep the boys very much focused. If they let excitement to creep in, this could affect our chances for promotion.” Gaokgorwe, who is in his second major spell as a coach, having coached Black Forest last season, was amongst the last players to win promotion with Motlakase in the 2013/14 season. He was the captain at the time. “It will be a special moment for me (to gain promotion with the team as a player and a coach). Other technical team members deserve praise as well because they have also contributed significantly to what we have achieved thus far,” he said. The battle for promotion is getting intense in the FDN. Chadibe leapfrogged BR Highlanders to move to the second following their victory over Sankoyo. Highlanders’ tittle credentials were dented by their loss to Tsabothe.
Their 1-0 loss at home means they have now dropped to the fourth position with 29 points while Tsabothe moved to position three on 30 points. Calendar Stars are now fifth with 29 points because they have a lower goal difference. Sankoyo, who until recently were touted as promotion hopefuls are now on position six with the same number of points as Calenders Stars but they trail on goal difference. There was also a major shakeup at the bottom of the table. For the first time this season, Pilikwe United find themselves outside the automatic relegation spot after recording a win against another struggling side, Green Lovers.
Pilikwe United are now on position 10 with 18 points. Lovers are one spot below Pilikwe. They are also on 18 points, but they have been let down by their shallow goal difference. Makungulupeswa occupy the last position in the league with a similar number of points as Pilikwe and Lovers but have a mediocre goal difference.
