TAFIC 1 (Gauther 76th) Chiefs 0 TAFIC head coach, Elias Chinyemba, is looking to draw motivation from the recent Zebras’ 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualification to get the best out of his players. TAFIC on Saturday evening ascended to the summit of the FNB Premiership table with a 1-0 win over Mochudi Centre Chiefs. The Francistown-based side was home in unfamiliar territory as they took their home game to the National Stadium in a move which the club said they are on a national fan base outreach. TAFIC did not look like a team home away from home as they put up a stellar performance against Magosi in a top of the table clash. It was tightly contested opening half as both sides looked to get an early goal. The home side looked to have a slight advantage over their opponents with the league’s leading goal scorer, Jean Lumbamba Lwamba, being a constant thorn on the Magosi defence. Chiefs' defensive duo of Thami Zulu and Kgosietsile Enerst could not contain the Congolese attacker for the majority of the match. TAFIC had a number of chances in the half from Lwamba and Kazadi Gauther but Kabelo Maphakela proved to be up to the task. The two teams went into recess level at 0-0. TAFIC maintained a slight upper hand at the start of the second half and they were eventually rewarded in the last quarter of an hour of the tie. It had looked like a harmless ball until Gauther over-powered young full back, Arnold Obuseng, who was making his first start of the season. The speedy winger won the physical contest and rounded the on-rushing Maphakela and picked a top spot to avoid blocks from the Chiefs as the ball kissed and gaped the net with TAFIC taking the lead. The goal proved the difference on the evening in an entertaining contest between the two early pace setters. In a bid to get the best of his squad, Chinyemba said he advised the players to raise their hands to get on the Zebras’ AFCON plane, that is to take off in a 12-month period. “These are young boys and I always tell them that in football you will never know who is watching you, whether in training or game; keep on pushing. The Zebras’ door is still open, they have qualified for the AFCON and everyone still has a chance to go to AFCON, it is still a year away from here. If you put on (good) performances, the selectors will look at you and that is the message I will always say,” said Chinyemba. In response to his side’s first defeat of the season, Chiefs’ head coach, Enosi Mmesi, vowed his side will bounce back from the speed hump. “We will come back, that is what champions do. We need to quickly come back and put this game behind our back if we really want to challenge for the title,” said Mmesi.
The teams:
TAFIC: Tshepo Mooketsi, Rebaone Joseph, Shaun Phillip, Shanganani Ngada, Kemonetswe Mmangwedi, Manda Nongo, Kazadi Gauther (Martin Daka), Theo Shadikong, Jean Lubumba Lwamba, Amogelang Reetsang, Thatayaone Nkwapa
Chiefs: Kabelo Maphakela, Jacksone Lesole, Anorld Obuseng, Thami Zulu, Kgosietsile Enerst, Keitumetse Samunzala, Thatayaone Ramatlapeng (Maatla Ratshukudu), Bogosi Nfila (Ototeng Dintwa), Khumoetsile Kufingwa (Monty Enosa), Bakang Mpatane, Lebopo Moremi (Pako Gaofose)
Cautions: Mooketsi, Joseph, Enerst, Samunzala
