Sights on play-offs

MOHLAKANENG – FOLLOWING the good form that saw them go three matches without a loss and climb the ladder to position four on the log, SAB Castle League club Maeba Chiefs have their sights set on qualifying for the play-offs, which will determine which team qualifies to be promoted to the ABC Motsepe League.

Maeba Chiefs consolidated their fourth spot in the league with a 1-0 victory over FC Manyora in a match played at the Mohlakaneng sports grounds on Saturday.

The two teams played to a goalless draw at Podungwana sports grounds last week, and a week prior to that match, Maeba Chiefs beat Molemole Academy 1-0.

The head coach of Maeba Chiefs, Meshack Kgopa, said he had creative players at his disposal, but unfit players remained his main problem.

“The majority of our players live far away from the training ground and only make it to training once a week. We pray for a good Samaritan to sponsor us so that we can train as a team and maximise our performance,” said Kgopa, who added that he would assemble a better team when they gained promotion to the ABC Motsepe League.

Meanwhile, the coach merry-go-round continued at FC Manyora with the acquisition of yet another coach. Just when the club seemed to have found their rhythm, head coach Freddy Tjale was demoted to assistant coach, with Phakes Madiga taking over the reins. Since taking over three weeks ago, Madiga only managed to collect one point out of a possible nine points and his explanation after the loss to Maeba Chiefs was that he was still finding his feet.

“I am still assessing the players. We have no natural striker, but we have plenty of midfielders.

“I am restructuring our system of play, but for now, we are forced to pack the midfield and have one striker up front,” Madiga said.