GU woes deepen
Sport
Reports suggest that football politics at Gaborone United (GU) have threatened and strained relations with one of the club’s multi- million Pula technical sponsors, Mutual and Federal- who are contemplating not renewing their contract.
This is compounded by reports to the effect that the team’s top financier, Nicholas Zackhem is also headed for an exit, WeekendSport has established.
The trouble torn club is in danger of losing the sponsorship following reported misunderstandings witnessed at board level-spilling down to the Secretariat. The sponsors are said to be battling an enormous temptation to leave one of the oldest clubs, not by mutual consent, but by ‘forced circumstances’, sources say.
Mutual and Federal-owned by financial service giant Old Mutual -is a South African based leading insurance company that partnered with United in August of 2013. The two parties signed a three year deal worth P3.6 million as financial cover.
The chief reason propelling the sponsor not to renew the deal is said to be the growing speculation that club chief financier, Zackhem is also exiting the team amid allegations of back biting and unaccountability. This came to the fore after committee members approached the court in July last year accusing Zackhem of having enticed other members to vote those he favoured and preferred.
It does not end there, the ambitious move by the club‘s first ever executive committee including former Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime (DCEC) boss, Tymon Katholo to drag the business mogul to court is also marked as a factor working against Moyagoleele. While the old committee is praised for the partnership with Mutual and Federal, it is widely believed that Zackhem was an instrumental cog during phases of negotiation. Attempts to reach Zackhem for comment did not materialize as the owner of
Zac construction was said to be out of the country on business engagements.
At the time of the launch in 2013, Zackhem was quoted as saying, ‘‘we feel very proud to have caught the attention of an establishment such as Mutual & Federal and we hope this partnership will help grow our brand further. We are also encouraged by Mutual & Federal’s wealth of business experience as one of the leading short-term insurance companies here at home and within the borders of southern Africa,” he said.
Whether the insurance has grown the GU brand is subject to debate, however what raises eye brows is Zackhem’s imminent move away from the club.
A Mutual and Federal representative refused altogether to shed light on the matter saying; ‘‘we do not have intentions of talking to the papers now, we will make announcement in months to come.’’
The lady only known as Theresa however took a turn to grill Botswana media saying it’s appalling and poor, thus finding it difficult to communicate their story.
Gaborone United’ chairman Rapula Okaile also joined the fray. He said he could not furnish third parties with what happens with their sponsors. ‘‘I am not in a position to share details with any one until the right time comes,’’ he said.
Gaborone United Sporting Club has proven, over four decades since its establishment in 1967, that it is one of the major soccer clubs in Botswana. It has won the Botswana Premier League and tasted glory in all major cups and tournaments available in the domestic domain. Most recent achievements include the 2008/2009 season, be MOBILE Premier League victory, the domestic FA Cup – Coke Cup of the 2011/2012 season and the 2012/2013, 2014-15 season Mascom Top 8 tournaments.
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.