The Sunday News
Mehluli Sibanda, Senior Sports Reporter
AFTER enduring a torrid first few months at Botswana Premier League side Mochudi Centre Chiefs, former Highlanders and Zimbabwe Saints coach Bongani Mafu has turned things around with Magosi having moved up the table with a six match unbeaten run this year.
Chiefs have not lost any match in 2017 with their latest victory being the 5-1 drubbing handed out to Green Lovers at Molepolole Sports Complex last Wednesday. That was the fourth victory for Mafu’s team in 2017 whose other two matches have ended in draws. It was also the second time that Mochudi have scored five goals in a league match this season.
The amazing turnaround in 2017 started with a 2-1 triumph over Nico United, followed by successive draws against Botswana Defence Forces (2-2), Green Lovers (1-1). Mochudi hammered Nico United 5-0 and beat BDF 1-0.
This means they have scored 16 goals and conceded five. After Wednesday’s triumph, Mochudi, who went into the festive season break on 13th position in the 16-team log, were in fourth place with 26 points, 11 behind table toppers Township Rollers.
They are still to be awarded points for a walkover when Gilport Lions did not turn up last year.
Mafu attributed the change in fortunes to the quality of the playing squad brought about by new signings. Jerome Ramathlapane, Zimbabwean Tendai Nyamadzawo and Namibian Absalom Limbondi were added during the January transfer window.
Nyamadzawo last year scored seven goals in one match while turning out for Gilport Lions in a 9-1 drubbing of FC Satmos to win the top goal scorer award.
“The quality of the playing squad has brought about change. Blending seasoned goal scorers with youthful vigour, we added eight new players during the January transfer window, of these Jerome Ramathlapane, Tendai Nyamadzawo and Absalom Limbondi have made an immediate impact.
The league still owes us three walkover points,’’ Mafu said.
He outlined that his mandate is to get the team to finish in the top four come the end of the season, but he believes that they can still go on to win the championship.
Mochudi will look to maintain their unbeaten run in 2017 when they face Police XI at Molepolole Sports Complex this afternoon. It is the same team they defeated 2-1 at Otse Stadium in December last year and have never tasted defeat ever since.
Some of the big matches still left for the season are the clash against Township Rollers on 15 April and the Madinda Ndlovu coached Orapa United with both fixtures in Gaborone.
@Mdawini_29
