Chiefs secured a 2-1 hard fought victory over Chadibe North FC at the Old Francistown Council Stadium on Saturday, extending their unbeaten streak to five games with four wins and a draw. The Kgatleng-based side currently leads the league standings with 13 points, sparking speculation among fans and football stakeholders that the club might win the league. However, Mpatane remains grounded and has emphasised that his troops should remain humble and focused.
“It is still early to think about the prospects of winning the league. We must take it one game at a time. I cannot say we will not stumble at some point. We will lose some matches but what is important is to collect as many points as we can,” he said in a post-match interview with SportMonitor. The former Eleven Angels coach added that winning the league is not even part of his mandate this season. “The president of the team has given me an outright mandate of finishing in the Top 8, which is achievable given the type of players we have. Anything beyond the Top 8 will be a bonus,” Mpatane said.
Meanwhile, Mpatane also used the post-match interview to share details in terms of how he is settling at the club. The youthful coach was unveiled by Magosi at the beginning of the season. There were even doubts that he has the credentials to coach a club of Chiefs’ stature. “Most of the players in the team were signed at the beginning of the season. But the good thing is that a sizeable number of them have prior Premier League experience. This has made my job easier because having worked with different coaches throughout their careers, enables them to adapt easily to various coaching philosophies or change of coaches. That is why I have not struggled to impose my philosophy. I really enjoy working with them. They are mentally strong characters as well,” said the 32-year-old coach.
Magosi has the likes of goalkeepers Ryan Brown, Kealeboga Maphakela, midfielder Thatayaone Ramatlapeng. Khumoetsile Kufigwa and Lebopo Moremi who boast vast premier league experience. The players were signed during the off season, after the club purchased an elite league status.
