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Amrouche’s worth revealed

Newly appointed Senior National Team head coach Adel Amrouche, agreed to a staggering P250 000 monthly pay-check with the Botswana Football Association (BFA), a revelation that marks the Belgian coach as the highest paid gaffer in the history of Botswana football.
 

Sources claim that Amrouche was first given P150 000, an offer which he out rightly rejected, before he upped and left for a holiday. He however, gave the association a ‘take it or leave it’ proposition, only to be contacted a week later with news that his monetary whims will be met with. The Belgian has since signed a two year deal with the association. The recruitment panel was convinced that the gaffer had to be adequately satisfied at the negotiating table, for him to bring optimal results in the field of play.

Amrouche, is by far the most experienced foreign coach of the African game to be hired by the association. This discovery now means that finances, have once again, played a critical part during the thought process of the association. Sports analysts and observers do not doubt that the association will come up with the monies to pay the country’s most expensive coach yet, there are however, presentiments that the coach is being paid a king’s ransom for targets which are arguably within reach for a professional of his caliber. Amrouche is expected to win the COSAFA senior Cup next year and also reach the finals of African Cup of Nations (AFCON), which will be held in Cameron in June 2021, a target believed to be a walk in the park for him. The qualifying rounds are expected to commence in October of this year.

While he is anticipated to improve the country’s FIFA rankings, Amrouche is also expected to apply himself well on the qualifying rounds of the football world cup.  This coming weekend will have many Botswana football supporters waiting in bated breath, as the spotlight will be on  Amrouche, to show case his talent as coach and proof his money’s worth; when he and his team to go up against The Flames of Malawi. Remarkably, Amrouche’s salary far surpasses that of former Coach Peter James Butler, who remains the only coach to have taken The Zebras to the finals of the COSAFA cup. Butler was interviewed and agreements were made to pay him P85 000 per month. His basic salary was to be P70 000, P14 000 as housing allowance, with P 1 000 as cell phone allowance. But like Amrouche, he declined the offer until the association got back to him with a new and higher pay which saw him smiling all the way to the bank with P91 000, as his salary. Unfortunately, BFA expects to face public backlash over the scale tipping salary of Amrouche. The Botswana head coach has worked with East African giants of Burundi and Kenya, together with Libya, before accepting Botswana’s call. Even though he had more challenges to take on in his portfolio during his term as head coach, Bright, (Botswana’s head coach in 2016), will now be seen as the least paid. 

Stanley Tshosane, the only local coach to have reached the finals of AFCON, earned close to P70 000. But his stock rose after taking the squad to AFCON showpiece of 2012. Both Julesic Vaseline and Colwyn Rowe – who all came before Tshosane- were offered deals higher than that of Bright, but never close to that of Amrouche.  Vaseline agreed to a measly P65 000 during his term, while Rowe agreed to close the deal close with P80 000.
 

COACHES AND THEIR WAGES

2019- Amrouche -P250 000

2016- Bright- P 60 000

2013- Butler- P 91 000

2010- Tshosane – P 70 000

2005- Rowe – P 80 000

2002- Vaselin—P 65 000

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BFA slow-stepping efforts in Wilson’s quest for citizenship?

18th March 2024

A quarter of a year ago, Zebras’ strategist, Didier Gomes Da Rosa, took a decisive step by enlisting midfielder Brandon Wilson, who flexes his soccer prowess at Ha Noi Football Club (FC) in Vietnam.

Yet, the 27-year-old sensation found himself benched before the game even started, due to his Australian nationality, despite his roots firmly planted in Gaborone, Botswana.

Fast forward to today, and Wilson’s name is still missing from the latest Zebras’ lineup for the forthcoming four-nation friendly extravaganza set to unfold in Madagascar.

Pundits from the local football arena argue that this tournament, starring The Zebras alongside Madagascar, Rwanda, and Burundi as hosts, presented a golden ticket for Wilson to unveil his skills, merge his playstyle with his teammates, and pass down his seasoned insights to the squad.

Looking ahead, The Zebras face a rugged path in their 2026 World Cup Qualifiers Group, battling titans like Algeria, Somalia, Guinea, and Uganda—teams studded with Europe-based talents. Integrating Wilson into the team now would be nothing short of strategic.

Amidst this saga, a ray of hope shined through a High Court ruling, suggesting the Botswana government’s nod towards dual citizenship, potentially giving the BFA the nudge it needed to expedite Wilson’s case.

Yet, as 2023 unfurls, Minister of Labour and Home Affairs, Anna Mokgethi, hinted at a six-month timeline to legislating this change. “We’re laying down the legal and procedural groundwork to enable dual citizenship. This process will span at least six months.

This waiting game could be pegged to aligning with the court of appeal’s decision.

“This buffer is designed to ensure a seamless transition, enabling talents like Wilson to clinch their Botswana passports and don the Zebras jersey,”

On the V.League 1 Table (Vietnam) – 2023/24 front, Wilson’s squad, Ha Noi FC, is holding sixth place after 13 showdowns, boasting 19 points—a commendable feat for their freshman year in Vietnam’s Elite League.

Since his leap to Ha Noi FC on September 5, 2023, Wilson has left his mark on 15 matches across domestic and AFC Champions League arenas, an impressive feat for his inaugural season.

In a recent WeekendSport dialogue, Da Rosa sung praises of Wilson’s gameplay. “Wilson’s mastery of the field, his spatial awareness, and ball reception, earmark him as a midfield marvel. His strategic positioning is a lesson in discipline, a skill set our team can greatly benefit from.

“He’s a crucial cog in our quest toward the 2026 World Cup dream,” Da Rosa said.

 

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Kemoeng’s departure opens doors for School sports – BOSETU

18th March 2024

The departure of Kitso Kemoeng from the Ministry of Youth, Sports, and Culture has been met with a sigh of relief by many, particularly by the Botswana Sectors of Educators Trade Union (BOSETU). Kemoeng’s tenure as Permanent Secretary was marked by a lack of progress and engagement on the issue of reinstating school sports, which has been a crucial aspect of child development in Botswana.

BOSETU had accused Kemoeng of being a stumbling block to the resuscitation of school sports, citing his arrogant and anti-engagement attitude towards the issue. His transfer to the Botswana Public Service College has been seen as a positive development by the union, as it signals a clear message that non-delivery and lack of vision will not be tolerated within the government.

The union has expressed confidence in the new Permanent Secretary, Bright John, who is expected to bring a fresh perspective and understanding of the importance of sports and culture in the holistic development of children. The absence of school sports in Botswana has had a detrimental impact on the youth and the development of sports in the country, and it is imperative that immediate action is taken to reinstate these programs.

According to BOSETU the departure of Kemoeng from the Ministry of Youth, Sports, and Culture is a step in the right direction towards reviving school sports in Botswana. The union and other stakeholders are hopeful that under the leadership of Bright John, progress will be made in ensuring the well-being and development of the youth through sports. It is time to breathe a sign of relief and look forward to a brighter future for school sports in Botswana.

 

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Will Makhwengwe’s exit halt Tafic’s remarkable streak?

24th February 2024

The abrupt severance of ties between Tafic Football Club and its erstwhile commander-in-chief, Philemon Makhwengwe, colloquially celebrated as the “Spin Doctor”, has sent ripples through the football aficionado community, given his laudable stewardship in the 2023/24 Botswana Premier League (BPL) crusade. The narrative of Matjimenyenga, as Tafic is affectionately dubbed, narrates a saga of resilience, having faced the ignominy of relegation to the Debswana First Division North on two occasions prior.

The chronicle of their fall from grace in 2018, settling at a dismal 14th place with a record marred by more losses than victories, delineates a club in dire need of strategic revival. Fast-forward to the present campaign, and the transformation under Makhwengwe’s aegis has been nothing short of remarkable. At the cessation of 16 rounds, Tafic perched at the fifth position with 24 points is a testament to an emboldened renaissance.

However, the plot thickened on the 20th of February, 2024, as Tafic pronounced the departure of Makhwengwe from his coaching pedestal via a Facebook communiqué, a move that bewildered the football-watching public. Discrepancies surfaced, with reports attributing his departure to discord with the club’s upper echelons over proposed adjustments within the technical team, painting a picture of internal discord.

Makhwengwe, a tactician revered for his prowess in architecting footballing triumphs, has been instrumental in Tafic’s ascent from the quagmire of league standings to a commendable sixth position. This leaves the footballing realm in suspense over Tafic’s trajectory post-Makhwengwe, especially after their recent conquest over Gaborone United, thrusting them into a formidable league position.

Amidst this backdrop of controversy, where Makhwengwe’s own assertions conflict with the official narrative – oscillating between resignation and dismissal – the saga unfolds with layers of intrigue. The spectacle calls into question the capacity of Tafic to sustain their impressive run. The precedence set by Cote D’Ivoire’s astonishing turnaround at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) after a managerial upheaval offers a glimmer of unpredictability inherent in football, though juxtaposing club football dynamics with international fixtures holds its own set of complexities.

As Tafic grapples with the loss of one of Botswana’s most esteemed coaching figures, the overarching question looms: How will this episode influence their fortunes as the season wades into its critical junctures? With the BPL already witnessing a carousel of coaching departures, Tafic’s saga adds a compelling chapter to the unfolding narrative of a league characterized by flux and fervor. The departure of Makhwengwe not only marks a pivotal moment for Tafic but underscores the perennial dance between stability and upheaval in the quest for footballing glory.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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