Tonota FC home and dry - as the coach is convinced of automatic promotion
After Tonota FC beat Mbalakalungu FC 2-1, Head Coach, Thaloba Nthaga spoke with great confidence. He said that there is now no doubt, Tonota FC is moving up to the Botswana Premier League. Nthaga explained that this success is not just for today. He described the team as a long-term project built to last for many years. Even though they are almost at the top, he warned his players not to relax. He wants the team to finish the season just as strongly as they started it, making sure they keep their winning spirit all the way to the end.
The weekend clash between Mbalakalungu and Tonota FC started at a slow pace, with both teams taking time to find their rhythm. It was Mbalakalungu who drew first blood, scoring the opening goal and putting the league leaders under pressure. However, Tonota FC showed their fighting spirit, quickly equalizing before netting a second goal to secure a 2-1 win. This victory is a massive turning point for the Spondo boys. With only four games remaining in the season, Tonota FC now needs just one more win to mathematically guarantee promotion. Even if they were to lose their other three matches, no other team in the league would be able to catch them.
'I think the first 35 minutes we are very sluggish, we are moving the ball slowly, we are allowing them to get into defensive positions. And the one thing that I saw about them is their fitness level is not where it’s supposed to be and we should have played with a higher intensity. But I think the last 10 minutes of the first half we were much, much better. I thought we scored a beautiful goal. That’s important that we got that goal before we went to halftime. We’ve got a long term plan and obviously one of the milestones that we have set for ourselves this season was to the Premier League and I think it’s almost done. We need to push and make sure we get next week just to make it official,' Nthaga said.
Coach Nthaga made it clear that his team has no intention of slowing down, stating that they are determined to finish the season just as strongly as they started it. He emphasized that maintaining their high standards is key to their long-term project. This winning mentality has been the backbone of their incredible season so far; after playing 18 league games, Tonota FC remains unbeaten, a remarkable record that proves they are the most dominant force in the division.
'We need to be honest with football. There are a lot of teams, actually we play a lot of teams that are fighting for the second squad. It will be unfair on us not to go there and give them what they deserve. So we play now, for every game that we play, we play for three points. I don’t know where it would be without players. They’ve been fantastic throughout the season and I can only thank them for the support and the commitment that they’re and we promise to finish the league strong,' he noted.
Tonota FC currently holds a commanding lead at the top of the First Division North table with 44 points after 18 games. The team remains the only side in the league that has not lost a single match, recording 13 wins and 5 draws. Their closest rivals, Enesia FC, sits in second place with 34 points, followed by Tsabotlhe FC in third with 31 points. This creates a massive 10-point gap between Tonota FC and their nearest competitor.
The team that finishes in second place typically qualifies for the national promotion playoffs for a chance to join the champions in the Premier League. According to the current standings, Enesia FC is the team most likely to take that spot, as they hold second place with 34 points. However, the race is still tight, as Tsabotlhe FC is only three points behind them with 31 points. Even Ndundu Young Fighters, who have 30 points and a game in hand, remain a serious threat for that playoff position.