Mpote was speaking after his side recorded a massive victory against TAFIC at the old Francistown Stadium on Saturday. Nico came from a one-goal deficit to win the match 3-1.
Until the weekend match, Nico occupied the 16th and last spot in the Premier League.
They now moved to position 13 which is one place above the relegation zone. They have lost eight matches, won three and experienced 11 draws, accumulating 20 points in the process. “I am not worried since we are to play teams that are also in the relegation zone. We must play the likes of Morupule and Police XI.
We must beat them to boost our survival chances. If we allow them to beat us, we will remain in danger. Winning against TAFIC, who are doing well, is a massive confidence booster to the boys,” Mpote said. It was also the first time that Nico scored more than two goals in as many matches this season.
“I do not want to talk much about the chances we have been creating but if you look at the game against Matebele and Galaxy among others, we could have scored a lot. We have been so unlucky in front of goals. This win is a massive confidence booster to the boys. We just need to be resilient. Credit to the boys and the technical team,” he said. Mpote added that he is happy that the players are now responding well to his tactics. He joined the club after the closure of the January transfer window and weeks after he was dismissed as Zebras’ coach.
“I did not have an opportunity to look for players to beef up the team because the window was closed. I had to make sure that I give the players I have proper training so that we survive. I am glad that the players have now fully adjusted to my training methods,” he said. Forward, Thabiso Bante gave TAFIC the lead in the 31st minute when he tapped home from close range after the visitors’ defender failed to clear.
Kamogelo Mphahlele restored parity when he slotted the ball past an advancing Katlego Mbise a minute before the break after being set up Kelvin Ndebele, who had an eventful match down the right. Majombolo, as Nico are lovingly known, grabbed the lead in the 54th minute through Thatayaone Magazi when his powerful shot from distance gave Mbise no chance. That was after he was granted much space to shoot. Magazi took the game beyond reach for TAFIC through a well taken header from Ndebele’s fine cross.
The teams:
Nico: Gaolathe Tshuepegetso, Stephane Mothwalo, Share Toteng, Stephane Mothwalo, Bapaletswe Simon, Gothusang Osego, Seabe Toteng, Kamogelo Mphahlele, Thatayaone Magazi, Welcome Phalele, Tshepiso Matshuba, Kelvin Ndebele, Morgan Gaseitsiwe,Tinashe Makanda TAFIC: Katlego Mbise, Rebaone Joseph, Arnold Abuseng, Kemoneetswe Mmangwedi, Shanganani Ngada, Ronny Leagetse, Onkabetse Makgantai, Keabetswe Tiego, Thabiso Bante (Vincent Lekorwe), Tumelo Majola (Kitso Mpuisang), Shaun Philip (Azande Aime)
TAFIC 1 (Bante 31st) Nico United 3 (Mphahlele 44th, Magazi 54th, 90th)
