By Tladi Moloi
African Warriors head coach, Jonny “Raps” Mafereka, has his eyes set for the Safa Free State ABC Motsepe league championship glory.
With six games remaining the optimistic coach believes his troops have got what it takes to fight until the end. The Qwaqwa based outfit are currently second on Stream A with 21 points after 10 games. They are equal with D’General FC, who are at the helm of the table with goal difference.
Mafereka says the commitment and dedication from his players makes it easy for him to dream big. However, he admitted that they will have to fight with everything that they have to achieve their mission.
“Yes, our stream is very tough but my boys are equal to the task. We have to make sure that we remain disciplined in the remaining games. At the moment any team in the top four can win it. We are second on the log table but we have to focus and win all our remaining games. If you check, all the teams at the top are still going to play each other and after that it is then we can say who will win the stream,” he said.
He said Mangaung United and Mathaithai did not have a good start in the league but they have gained momentum.
“Mangaung and Mathaithai are now coming strong and that makes them the strong contenders. Our league has changed. There is no game where one is guaranteed three points, you have to go and fight irrespective of playing home or away,” he said.
Marefeka is a very experienced coach who guided the Dikwena FC to the Safa ABC Motsepe league national playoff more than a decade ago. He was also the coach of the same African Warriors in the National First Division in the past years before it was relegated.
His experience might work in favour of the Qwaqwa based side even though the Botshabelo outfit, D’General has beefed up their team with players from both Amazulu development side and Bloemfontein Celtic.
Meanwhile, Mangaung City remains at the helm of stream A with 20 points in nine games. The Fourisburg outfit, Dikgosi FC is four points behind the log leaders after 10 games while Kovsies FC remain second with 15 points in eight games.
City started the league marathon like a house of fire winning six and playing two draws, They were however brought down to earth last week when they suffered a 1-0 defeat to Bloemfontein Tigers in a derby. They will be hoping to redeem themselves when they go on a date against Motsmotle FC in a league encounter on Friday afternoon at the Bluegumbosch stadium in Phuthaditjhaba, Qwaqwa.
