Tshepo Molwane
11 April 2008
Gaborone — Mochudi Centre Chiefs' communications officer, Clifford Mogomotsi has said that after winning the Mascom Premier League title on Wednesday, their next target is the Coca-Cola Cup and the campaign in the Africa Champions League.
Till Wednesday, Chiefs was the only big club in the country never to have won a major title. They have always faltered in the race to win the national title or the Coca-Cola Cup when least expected. They waged a good campaign in both competitions last season but lived up to their reputation as the nearly men of local soccer.
Chiefs were eliminated in the quarter-finals of the Coca-Cola Cup by eventual champions BMC last year and played second fiddle to dark horses ECCO City Greens in the Premier League. The closest they came to winning the Coke Cup was in 2002 when they were beaten 2-1 by TASC in the semis. "We are not saying we are going to win the Champions League but we are going to try our best. Unlike other clubs that have won the Mascom Premier League in the past, we want to defend this title (league)," said Mogomotsi. He praised supporters around the country for rallying behind the team even when the going was tough. "Big thanks go to our sponsors, Motiganz for their branding. Because of their financial backing, we went back to our stripes," he said.
Striker Mpho 'Jomo' Mabogo who was brought in at the start of the season praised the management for the success. "After missing the league title last season, they knew what they wanted.
They brought in quality players and kept us happy. In the end, we delivered the trophy," he said. Mabogo pointed out that unlike his former club BDF XI, the success at Chiefs was due to team-work. He has scored 12 league goals and can increase the tally in the remaining four games.
Former Extension Gunners' skipper, Tshepo 'Talk-Talk' Motlhabankwe said he was the most excited player at Chiefs. "I have always wanted to win things and this gold medal means a lot to me. To score a goal which brought us back into the game was great and if we stay focused, we can end the season without a loss," he said. Motlhabankwe pleaded with the supporters to continue rallying behind the team and the players will not disappoint them.
Chiefs' coach Beston Chambeshi told Mmegi Sport that he is happy to have won the cup though it was not easy. "I have to thank the management, players and supporters for their support," he said. Chambeshi led Chiefs in 10 games after taking over from fellow Zambian Mike Sithole who dumped the club in December and signed for Gaborone United. Mogoditshane Fighters' veteran midfielder, Masego 'Abedi' Ntshingane said Chiefs deserved the title. "It is not a miracle that they have not lost a game. They are a good side but if we can have more sides which are run like Chiefs, the standard of our league will improve," he said.
Be the first to Write a Comment!
Copyright © 2008 Mmegi/The Reporter. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com). To contact the copyright holder directly for corrections — or for permission to republish or make other authorized use of this material, click here.
AllAfrica aggregates and indexes content from over 125 African news organizations, plus more than 200 other sources, who are responsible for their own reporting and views. Articles and commentaries that identify allAfrica.com as the publisher are produced or commissioned by AllAfrica.
