MatjiMenyenga are back!
Toropo ya muka as Tafic aka Matjimenyenga boys make an impressive comeback to top flight football
Tafic Sporting club aka Matjimenyenga boys have returned to the elite BTC premiership.
The legendary outfit made Francistown residents mightily proud this past Saturday after walloping rivals Sua Flamingos 2-1 to secure passage to the premiership league after a three-year absence.
Hordes of Tafic supporters who thronged Sua stadium to watch their team return to top flight football were not disappointed. The game was accompanied by pomp and fanfare from Sua to Francistown. Against Flamingos, Matjimenyenga only needed a win or draw provided Motlakase won their same day game by three or more goals.
When nostalgic Tafic supporters left for the game to Sua Township they were thirsty for a win. The team’s return to the top was reminiscent of the past GT Tafic that boasted players like Mmoloki ‘Best’ Sechele, the late Jomo ‘Nobody’ Mosweu, Wrist Mmusi, Matoni Mudzingwa, Carlos Tawana, Hero Matenge and many other talented players who made the City of Francistrown popular.
When the team was relegated to the dusty grounds of the first division north, many skeptics wrote them off but the team fed them humble pie this past weekend. Tafic, like other big teams including Township Rollers, Extension Gunners and Gaborone United, command a large following of religious supporters. These supporters are expected to fill up the recently opened Francistown Sports Complex during Tafic games.
The new facility has been a happy hunting ground for Orapa United during their recent BTC premiership games. Contacted for comment following the team’s automatic promotion, Tafic spokesperson Warrant Kolola said their aim is for the team to claim back bragging rights to the northern City. Kolola went on to boldly declare that Tafic are one of the biggest team’s right next to Township Rollers as far as loyal followers and economic value go.
Kolola added that they will bring back the team’s glory days by unearthing exciting players. “Since we have gained automatic promotion to the elite league, we are hopeful that sponsors are going to come on board in large numbers to get mileage from our team which is one of the biggest teams after Rollers in terms of fan base”.
Apart from sponsors, he said they will beef up their squad with experienced players to ensure they remain in the premiership. Unfortunately, head coach Elias Chinyemba will be reduced to assistant coach since he is not qualified to coach in the premier league. He holds a Grade C coaching licence instead of the Grade B licence required in premier league.
He said Chinyemba told them of his handicap long before they gained automatic promotion.
“When we resume the elite league, we will fight to remain in the league and any top 8 position will be a bonus for us,” he said, adding that the ultimate is to win the league after four years.
