Mamelodi back in court
Sport
Embattled former Botswana Premier League boss, Bennett Mamelodi has won an application through the high court of Botswana to have ADM Forensic Financial Services auditors’ report tested in open court.
On the other hand, Botswana Football Association(BFA) are reported to have deliberately left the door revolving on the matter, and it is why they could not challenge or contest the applicant’s case. It is said, a lady whose name is known to this publication, and was part of the auditors had long been open to testifying on behalf of the firm if need be. Lawyers representing the former Pula Sports co-owner are optimistic that their client has a stern case against the local football body and it is why they can not rest until they find justice.
“We believe my client’s reputation is heavily dented, we are battling to restore it,” Mamelodi’s lawyer Dutch Leburu was once quoted as saying. Mamelodi believes that his fate at Lekidi football centre was ruthlessly sealed based on the outcome of forensic report. He wants remedial action on grounds that the report did not in any way gave him the opportunity to clarify any other series of proceedings that were done and conducted under his watch. Those backing the first premier league CEO are of the view that the association had long knotted a conspiracy to oust a long time devotee of the game.
The association on the other hand refuses to admit that they may have dropped the ball and instead remains steadfast that procedures of hiring and firing staff members were followed, and that Mamelodi should be bold enough to accept the change of guard in his football life. His contract came to an end as Botswana was celebrating Independence Day. Further arguments are however expected to be heard on November 15, a move that will see ADM auditors enter court chambers for the first time since the beginning of the trial early this year.
Tumo Mpatane, BFA marketing and communication officer said the association is aware of the case hence the decision not to contest. He however could not be drawn into discussing the matter further saying it is still before jurisdiction. “Yes we are aware of the court matter, but it is not yet in our hands to make any telling comments at this point in time,” Mpatane said. The auditors had observed that BFA regulation and procedure manuals clearly stipulate that any expense of more than P50 000 should be floated as a tender and that quotations can only be sourced for expenditures amounting to P50 000 and below. However, with its past engagement with service providers and suppliers, BPL is said to have overlooked the regulations.
The audit also uncovered that control measures relating to petty cash were not adhered to. BFA regulations state that only expenses below P300 can be paid from the petty cash account, but it is indicated that expenditures amounting to over P 1000 were at times paid from the petty cash. BFA, at the time of Mamelodi’s suspension, said the objective of the forensic audit was to determine whether employees were adhering to policies and procedures in the best interest of the association. Another objective was to determine whether employees of BPL were involved in any fraudulent conduct. The association is represented by Otto Itumeleng attorneys.
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.