Tshelametsi fined for misconduct
Sport
Blundering Kagiso Tshelamentsi, who is Security Systems Football Club’s goalkeeper coach, has been charged by the Botswana Premier League Disciplinary Committee (BPL DC) for using derogatory words towards match officials.
The former Zebras number 1 goal stopper is said to have used the derogatory statements during their Mascom Top 8 game against finalists Orapa United at Itekeng Stadium on December 8th last year. The committee has since delivered a judgment that will see the goal keeper missing three games and paying a P 5. 000 fine.
The DC says the goal keeper coach used abusive language contrary to Article 14.4 of the BFA play rules and regulations, and that was his first charge. His second charge relates to contravention of Article 25.6, being that he brought the game of football into disrepute.
The DC argued that the prosecution has tendered evidence in the form of a match referee’s report and the match commissioner’s report all confirming Tshelametsi’s utterances. To further solidify their stand, the jury said Tshelametsi was given a red card for his abusive words at the same venue.
It is said that a discrepancy arose when the case was deliberated. WeeekendSport learnt that both the match commissioner’s report and the referee’s submissions did not agree on the status of Tshelametsi as the respondent. The referee’s report indicated that Tshelametsi is a goalkeeper but the commissioner’s submission proved that the official in question is a goalkeeper coach which the jury has corrected. It is said Tshelametsi wanted to escape through that loophole but later accepted that he was the goalkeeper coach and not goalkeeper on the day.
However, Tshelametsi denied ever uttering the words. The goalkeeper coach said he was quite shocked to receive the charges and saw the words for the first time in the charge sheet. He however conceded that he was sent off during the said match. Tshelametsi said he was sent off for his persistent dissent. But what raised eyebrows was the goalkeeper coach’s submission that it was the fourth official who sent him off and not the referee as per the football rule.
The DC argued that Tshelametsi was not telling the truth and rather the referee sent him off for unpalatable utterances. Tshelametsi is expected to pay the P 5000 before 14 working days elapse. He was also warned against any future contraventions of the play rules and regulations. Morever, Tshelametsi was reminded of his right to appeal the ruling within 10 working days.
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.