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BFA replaces fired Tarig

Akoonyatse elected VP- Admin


After the long silence regarding the Botswana Football Association post of Vice President-administration, the National Executive Committee (NEC) met on Tuesday and elected Basadi Akoonyatse to replace the fired soccer foot soldier, Tariq Babitseng.


WeekendSport is informed that the secret meeting was held at Lekidi football centre, and for the first time in many years, the elections had women pitted against each other.


Reports suggest Akoonyatse who has been sitting in the executive committee as an additional member was elevated to the position of the Vice President – Administration at the expense of Susan Montsho.


Highly placed NEC sources say Akoonyatse garnered six votes while Montsho only managed four votes, much to her disappointment. The soft–spoken Montsho has been holding the post on interim basis for the past 10 months.


According to sources, both ladies have a lot to offer, and the often stubborn NEC was visibly divided on deciding whose credentials and knack, between the two ladies of football to go with. Some members had wanted Montsho to carry on with the post until a well grounded individual was identified.

Some, according to WeekendSport sources, felt that Akoonyatse is well trained within the medical field of sport and should not leave  her portfolio to suffer at a post that is demanding and often times requires a leadership brain.


Sometimes in September of last year, Akoonyatse was rejected by a handful of NEC members as an individual who could replace Ernest Nthobelang as the Vice President technical. This was after Nthobelang was relinquished of his duties due to absconding without reasons.


It is clear that explanations by some NEC members in disregarding Akoonyatse are on the same template from last year.    


This latest development point to a house very much riddled with factions, some feeling Akoonyatse, in all fairness, is mature enough to fill the second plum post of the association. Akoonyatse was nominated as an additional member when ‘friends of football’ white-washed David Fani’s troops in July of 2012.


However, names of Mike Molefhe and Segolame Ramotlhwa have previously been pencilled but it seems the association entertained another thought.

Convincing either Molefhe or Ramotlhwa (which was highly unlikely given the stance he took against friends of football) was to be a mammoth task but Akoonyatse’s way in to the position was  without many hindrances this time around although factions still prevailed whenever a decision had to be made.


 Those who are believed to be admirers of Akoonyatse have no misgivings with her succeeding Babitseng. It is said that the association has been eager to reward Akoonyatse for her dedication and standing in the often stubborn NEC.


Her footprint in sport comes from afar, she has sat in various committees specialising in the medical field. Believe it or not, the lady was never a star athlete in her youth. She tried her mettle in various sporting codes, but she never actually discovered her real talent.


Contacted for clarity, BFA CEO, Kitso Kemoeng only confirmed the meeting of the NEC but could not reveal more regarding the agenda. “I can only confirm that NEC met, but I am not going to tell any media what transpired until the right time comes,” he said.


Akoonyatse has a portfolio so rich she can walk into a top sports administration job. A physiotherapist by profession, with a master in sports physiotherapy, she was certified a CAF sports medicine instructor five or six years back, and has worked with different national teams – ranging from football to athletics.

She has been the physiotherapist of Botswana teams at various events such as African Youth Games, Youth Olympic Games, and the Commonwealth games. Hers is the face of the many heroes behind the country’s sporting legends – the volunteers who contribute their expertise and time from behind the scenes and away from the limelight.

In recognition of her service to sport, she was a recipient of the 2010 Botswana National Sports Council (BNSC) Chairperson’s Award, but still, according to reports, this does not excite a considerable number of NEC members until a time her CV is compared to other suitable candidates.

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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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Sport

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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