Friends of football eyes BFA ball
Sport
A carefully laid strategy in a football camp known as Friends of Football famously led by former President of the Football Association Tebogo Sebego is coming to play itself out should Tariq Babitseng win a position of Gunners chairmanship as campaigns intensify.
Babitseng is a well-known blue-eyed boy of Sebego who served under his administration -first as an acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) – and later as Vice President- Administration of the BFA. It is however reported that Extension Gunners membership is fighting tooth and nail to oust Babitseng whom they accuse as a ‘bought’ member of Gunners. It is instead said that Babitseng is a bonafide member of Molepolole based outfit Masitaoka FC, now playing in the lower tier.
Babitseng eyes an opportunity to serve in the Premier League Board of Governors where he is expected to team-up with his master, Sebego who will hold a tag of Notwane S.C. Sources claim that the idea is to wrestle power and control of the premier league, a football structure that apparently cost the regime votes in the closely contested BFA elections in August of 2016.
It is also an open secret that Township Rollers President who also doubles as a financer of the club, Jagdish Shah is eyeing the BFA presidency seat in the event that Mac Lean Letshwiti chooses not to contest. But it is noted that the duo [Sebego and Babitseng], without doubt, can form a formidable partnership that can later cause a major upset during BFA elections for the other group in 2020. However, there are handful members of Gunners supporters who feel Babitseng is a black sheep of Botswana football who can never be entrusted with demanding posts.
The pencil slim administrator lost election in 2016 in a closely contested battle against Marshlow Motlogelwa by 32-28. He was campaigning for the seat of BFA’s second Vice President. When reached for clarity, Babitseng confirms that he is a Gunners card carrying member who is given a mandate to turn the club’s fortunes around. “Yes, of course I was with Masitaoka and my success with that team is well documented, I am now with Gunners to take the team back to its glory days,” he said.
Babitseng refused to talk more about BFA political strategies, but stated that he is well aware of people who are planting malicious information about his name. “ Honestly, I cannot talk about BFA issues because I am not even interested, my energy is with Gunners, I know that some football administrators formerly with Gunners and now at BFA are out to fight with me, but there should know that I have a mandate with Gunners,” he concluded.
Sebego once told this publication that it is just hearsay that he is campaigning for the BFA plum post again. He said: “I’m dealing with my law firm but I’m not lost to football I keep sharing information with some because of my experience. I like imparting knowledge to others be it secretariat or about the laws of the game. But for now I’m just relaxed with my business.”
He further stated that: “For now I am out of football and I am relaxed I do not want to be involved in football wrangles, but whenever there is something that is failing the incumbent attributes it to the past leadership. We have been in the game and football growth is a concern. There should be culture of respect, Fani (David) has never castigated Makgelemele (Philip) and I never did the same on Fani it is courtesy or humility.”
Sport
It’s do or die for Zebras
The senior national team, the Zebras, is currently in Equatorial Guinea to for an African Cup of Nations Qualifiers tie. Before they departed, the team’s coach, Mogomotsi Mpote, had his troops train in Morocco. This was through the agreement between the two countries.
The agreement between the BFA and the Fédération Moroccan Football Association states that the two nations will work together to organize friendly matches between their respective national teams. It also allows the establishment of football camps for the youth categories (U-15, U-17, and U-20), this includes women’s national teams.
The national team has played over 180 minutes in its two qualifying matches against Tunisia and Libya. Currently, the Zebras, Lesotho and Liberia are the only teams that haven’t scored yet in the competition (this is correct by press time on Friday).
Before the match against Equatorial Guinea match, the local boys who were once known as the whipping boys of Africa in the early 2000s, were languishing at the bottom of the log standings in group J. They lost their first match away to Libya on June 1, 2022. However, they managed to salvage a point against Tunisia last year.
Before the team left for Equatorial Guinea, coach Mpote urged his players to focus on keeping their hopes of making a return trip to the AFCON finals alive after an 11 year absence since the maiden appearance in 2012. He noted that they would not allow their opponents to score and would ensure that they would get a draw.
Despite the various changes that have occurred in the two countries’ football landscape, the two teams have only met once before. In 2010, the local boys defeated the Equatorial Guinea team in a friendly match, which ended in an emphatic win for the visitors. Since then, the two sides have realised different fortunes in FIFA rankings, with Equatorial Guinea ranked 51 places above the Zebras.
Meanwhile, in their last six games, Guinea has only managed to win one of them. They drew with Rwanda and Togo in September 2022 friendlies. They have found the back of the net just twice in their six games. On the other hand, the Zebras, won one match against Zambia and lost four on their way to finishing at the bottom of the group with four points. At the conclusion of their previous AFCON campaign, the local boys traveled to Zambia and secured a draw.
MPOTE CONFIDENT
Despite the recent results of the Guinean team, which have only managed to draw with Rwanda and Togo in their last six matches, coach Mpote is still confident that his team will perform well against the hosts.
According to the head coach, the local boys have the necessary skills and resources to perform well against any country. He noted that the team’s coaches have been studying abroad to gain a deeper understanding of the various aspects of football.
“Tactically they should also be ready. We need your (Botswana fans) usual support, when we come back from Equatorial Guinea, we will go to Francistown, and we will need you. You are our 12th player, and you are very important to us.”
OBED ITANI CHILUME STADIUM CERTIFIED
This week, the Botswana National Sports Commission (BNSC) Tuelo Serufho revealed that the Obed Itani Chilume Stadium will host the return leg of the Africa Cup of Nations qualifier between the local boys and Equatorial Guinea. The venue had initially failed an inspection test conducted by the Confederation of African Football (CAF). However, following the completion of the necessary works, the stadium was allowed to host the match.
According to BNSC Chief, Tuelo Serufho, the various requirements that the stadium must meet included having a designated parking area for the media and spectators, as well as having signage that will guide the spectators. He also noted that the venue now has a world-class media area.
Sport
Jagdish Shah rejects Rollers society
Township Rollers, one of the country’s most decorated football clubs with 15 premier league titles, is finding itself in a precarious situation as its long-term chief financier, Jagdish Shah, threatens to dump them if the society does not bow down to his demand of forfeiting their 20 percent interest in the company.
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Sport
Orange injects P350 000 into Phikwe marathon
Mobile network Orange Botswana is committed to supporting the development of local sport. Through its sponsorship, the company will be able to promote and market the sport. According to Maano Masisi, the company believes that sport can unite people from different backgrounds.
He stated that through the sponsorship of the marathon, the company will help promote healthy lifestyles and unity among the people of Selebi Phikwe.
The Selebi Phikwe Marathon is scheduled to take place on July 29, 2023. It is expected that it will attract international, regional, and social runners. A total of P216 000 has been allocated for the prize money for the first ten places in the 42.2 km race. For the 15km and 10km races, the LOC will give away prizes to the first five places.