There were glimpses of what the season may have in store for some teams this coming season as their preparations continued with a series of friendly matches and tournaments.
At the VTM Arena in Mamhiko, hosts VTM FC showed early signs they will be a force to reckon with in the First Division South League (FDSL) as they won four teams Pre-Season Tournament. the tournament saw the hosts joined by Masitaoka FC, Extension Gunners FC and Majweng FC on the day.
Whereas Masitaoka and Extension Gunners are premier league teams, the other two play in lower leagues. VTM FC is in the FDSL following promotion this past season while Majweng plays in the Kweneng Region Football Association (KRFA) division 1.
There was however nothing to separate the elite league teams from the lower division teams as both VTM FC and Majweng made the finals. Enroute there, VTM FC beat Extension Gunners 5 – 3 while Majweng beat Masitaoka 2 – 0 in what was dubbed a Molepolole derby.
The two premier league teams then battled in the losers’ finals where Masitaoka emerged victorious with a hard fought 1 – 0 win over Gunners. This paved a way for an interesting final between VTM FC and Majweng.
Taking on from the past season where the two battled in the KRFA Division 1, the match up between the two was an interesting affair. Both teams played some enterprising football and nothing separated them in the first half which ended without a goal from either side.
Coming from recess, VTM FC threw in their new acquisition Sfiso Myeni (34)
into the field as they sought to turn the game around. Though seemingly off the pace as compared to his teammates, the former Orlando Pirates winger had a fruitful cameo which offered glimpses of what he will offer VTM FC in the upcoming season.
Donning jersey 9 for his new club, Myeni who often played deep formed some partnership with the youthful Abado Ramerafhe in the center of the park. The latter was instrumental in the buildup for the first goal which was scored by Ayanda Molefhe.
Myeni was however instrumental in the buildup to the second goal of the match. Showing some silky skills that were the hallmark of his game in his prime, the veteran threaded through a pass before running the remaining distance, creating enough diversion to allow for his teammate to score the winning goal.
while VTM FC emerged winners, for Majweng FC, this would have been a morale boosting appearance for them ahead of their campaign in the KRFA division 1 league. Despite being the lowest ranked side, they never seemed out of place against their illustrious opponents.
Their showing may be a foreboding warning to their opponents that they will be no pushovers in the chase for promotion. For VTM FC, their showing left many among the spectators predicting they will be a side to watch in the FDSL this coming season. Some of the spectators were even bold enough to declare VTM FC as promotion frontrunners this coming season.
For Masitaoka and Extension Gunners, it was a sign of their struggles which have also manifested at administration level. The two teams are part of the five whose futures are up in the air following their relegation to lower regional leagues away from their lofty premier league status.
