Moloi keeps Chiefs guessing
Sport
Mochudi Centre Chiefs’ potential move for Dirang Moloi is stalled as the player considers the club’s newly invented procedure of scrapping off signing-on-fees. The player is expected to sign anytime soon, but the two parties are currently engaged in a lock down as Moloi demands a signing on fee.
Magosi -who time and again- have professed eternal admiration for Dirang, have introduced a system where a player is not given signing on fees upon signing a new contract as has been the norm, but remuneration packages (gratuity) are promised at the end of the union.
This current situation is believed to be delaying the talks between the player and the team. However, Magosi are mindful to handle the issue with care as expected, blood rivals, Township Rollers present pressure. Although the high spending side is yet to make a bold stance, sources close to developments mention that Rollers are not yet done with the brother of Pontsho Moloi.
According to reports, Moloi is believed to be secretly sitting on a new Rollers contract, but his heart and mind is at the Kgatleng giants. However, there is doubt on whether his demands will be met, by the Jamali financed side before next Monday.
Moloi who has previously played for both Chiefs and Rollers is hardening his heart and sources say he is demanding at least P5 000 as appearance fee for every game. The skilful player is contemplating on signing a one year contract-as he previously did with Rollers- and such a move will mean that his benefits will be not be a “lump sum” after his contract lapses.
He has learned the hard way after tying himself to a lengthy contract with Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)’s Don Bosco. He unwittingly penned a five year deal but would later curse his days at the club before asking for a release. Township Rollers came scrambling for him and the events would see him playing for a season with the club.
While his impending arrival is a subject of debate, another tussle of high proportion is expected between Chiefs and Rollers over Lesego Molemogi. The Blues have released Molemogi to an unnamed Hong Kong team but are seriously objecting him to play for Magosi. The player, together with Dirang is part of Centre Chiefs training squad’s efforts of keeping their fitness in check.
However, optimistic sources contend that by Monday Dirang Moloi will be a Chiefs player and the issue of a signing-on-fee and gratuity will a ghost of past. It is widely believed that Chiefs managerial decision has ruffled a few feathers within their boardrooms regarding the issue getting money upon signing a new contract.
They are mindful of the fact that they could have captured the signature of Joel Mogorosi and Thato Ogopotse but because of the boiling matter, players with their agents looked elsewhere.
When reached for comment, Chiefs media liaison Clifford Mogomotsi said they are still sorting out small issues and Dirang will soon play for them. “We are ironing out a few things and by weekend, we will be having his book,” Mogomotsi attested.
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.