…as Tafic and Mbalakalungu drop points
First Division North top teams, Tafic and Mbalakalungu dropped points last week while Sankoyo Bush Bucks moved two steps away from the relegation zone after walloping the Chobe rivals (Mbalakalungu) one nil.
Week 13 ended with Ngurungu sitting on position 9 with 12 points and their win dropped Mbalakalungu from the second spot to third and their previous position was now taken by Santa Green after defeating log leaders, Tafic 2-0.
The Mbalakalungu-Sankoyo game was anticipated to be a tough one for Maun boys as they went in as underdogs against a formidable opponent that has been in good form since the league started.
But that was not the case as Sankoyo gave no breathing space to the visitors, displaying good counter-attack football for the entire first half.
Ngurungu could have scored their first goal in the first half through their new signing Rodrick Simamba who failed to convent a free through ball from Kgakgamatso Juta in the dying seconds of the first half and both teams went for a recess tied 0-0.
During the second half, the teams came back determined for a win with both missing chances to score. Mbalakalungu were the first to make the attempt to score as Thato Monowe combined well with captain Joseph Scara Keitseng who hit wide off target in the 48th minute. Mbalakalungu’s attempt angered the Ngurungu boys and in the 73rd minute Kgakgamatso Juta was able to shake the nets scoring his 6th goal of the season from outside the box to make it 1-0.
Nearly 5 minute after the first goal, Juta made another attempt firing a shot from inside the box into the hands of Mbalakalungu’s goalie. Sankoyo piled more pressure on the visitors with Juta, Wabuya Aebe and Mmoloki Sheto combining well towards the end of the second half.
Delighted Sankoyo’s assistant coach, Paphani Likha told Times Sport that it was their plan to frustrate the visitors and make sure they score first.
Likha said he was not surprised by his boys’ good performance noting that they have been doing the same thing all along but it’s only that they were unlucky to win the previous matches.
“We have now started winning and we will focus on every assignment especially that our new signings have adapted well in the team and in this game, they played well and contributed massively to the win against a strong team,” he said.
Mbalakalungu’s coach refused to speak to the media as him and their supporters protested against the referee complaining that he was unfair to them especially in the second half of the game.
The next game for Sankoyo will be away to Chadibe FC and a win for them will move them into the top eight spot.
Tomorrow Mbalakalungu welcomes Santa Green while Peacemakers will lock horns with Power Dynamos and Calendar Stars against Rolling Guys. Green Lovers will be up against BR Highlanders in Mahalapye. On Sunday, Tafic welcomes Miscellaneous at Francistown Council Stadium with all games starting at 1530hrs.
