With the first division league finally kicking-off this weekend, Sankoyo Bush Bucks will welcome Tafic Sporting Club in their first home-game at Maun Sports Complex on Saturday afternoon.
The last time the two clubs clashed in Maun was on the 11th of May 2022, where they played to a two all draw. Ngurungu and Matjimenyenga’s return to Maun Sports Complex is much awaited to see how the game will go this time around.
In the last season Sankoyo finished 6th with 29 points while Tafic bounced back to first division after it was relegated to the lower division with 22 points. The club survived the axe thanks to Eleven Angels for winning the promotional play-offs which then left a space for the third team to fill. Tafic then went for the play offs with the winning two teams from the regional play-offs which it then won.
Sankoyo assistant coach Paphani Likha told Times Sport that his boys are ready for the Saturday match. However, the coach said he is aware of the threat that Tafic poses even though they managed to collect four points from them last season.
“We won 1-0 in the first round before drawing 2-2 in the last game against them therefore we are going into this encounter with all my boys fit and ready,” he stressed.
The league commences following several postponements by the Botswana Football League (BFL) due to some technical issues surrounding the local football including failure to secure sponsorship.
Division North secretary, Sailor Gosego confirmed that indeed the new season will start with all clubs playing their opening games on Saturday and Sunday. He revealed that they have not yet received any news regarding the sponsorship issue from the BFL.
However, Gosego assured that the games will continue as planned despite issues of no sponsorship and grants for the clubs hoping that the arrangement will find them on the way.
Gosego said they are hopeful that something regarding sponsorship might possibly come through as the BFL and Botswana Football Association (BFA) have been busy engaging with potential partners and former sponsors for possible deals and agreements.
Recently the BFA Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mfolo Mfolo revealed that they are in negotiations with Debswana and other potential sponsors and he was hopeful that they will soon finalise things.
On Saturday there will be five matches played across the northern region with Miscellaneous welcoming Green Lovers at Masilo Grounds, Rolling Boys taking on BR Highlanders at Mahalapye CJSS. Peace Markers will also clash with the newly promoted Mbalakarungu at Samabaje Grounds while Motlakase Power Dynamos will welcome Chadibe Football Club at Oris Radipotsane stadium.
All matches start at 1600hrs. On Sunday (6th November 2022) Calendar Stars will travel to Mahalapye Rural Training Centre grounds to face Santa Green at 1600hrs.
