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Chiefs’ founders angle for takeover

A section of troubled First Division South outfit, Mochudi Centre Chiefs are said to pulling out all stops to ensure that the club finally transitions into a company amid reports of instability and divisions.

According to a leaked letter from founders who are represented by Sexton Kowa and Ramocha Tsieng, the society has taken a decision to request Thapelo Tsheole who is currently the chairman, to hand over the team back to the society.

” Following the resolution passed by the members of the Mochudi Centre Chiefs Sporting Club(society) at its annual(AGM) held on the 18th August 2019 at Ntefo Conference facility in Mochudi to convert the society to a company limited by shares and with consent of the society, a company was duly incorporated on the 21st February 2020 being Mochudi Centre Chiefs (Proprietary) Limited, (the company) by six founders of the Society namely, Messrs, Aaron Ramosako, Molefi Sexton Kowa, Joel Mpete, Archie Aphiri, Rejoice Tlhowe, and Tshepo Aphiri (herein “The Funders” ), represented by Mr Molefi Sexton Kowa and Mr Ramocha Tsieng. The AGM further resolved that once the company was formed, the affairs of the society will be handed over to the company to manage,” reads the part of the missive written to Tsheole.

Contacted for comment, Mochudi Centre Chiefs President, Thapelo Tsheole stated that he is yet to officially receive the letter but has seen it from a friend who has seen it circulating on social media. “I cannot comment on the issue further because it was shown to me by a friend who saw it circulating on social media; but we will give it the attention it deserves and I plead with Centre Chiefs faithful to be calm,” he said.

The club president intends to keep his eyes on the ball: “We will handle the issue with the utmost respect because at the end of the day Mochudi Centre Chiefs brand should be the winner and this should always be our aim.” Tsheole has been leading the side and was tasked with reviving the team and bringing them back to the elite league.

The circulating letter is a culmination of power struggle between Tsheole and the so-called founders of the club. Sources speaking with WeekendSport state that Tsheole wanted both Directors to cede 75 percent of their shares to society as he believes the transitional route from society to a company has been bypassed.

Tsheole officially raised his hand for the first time this year, in an attempt to bring an end to more than a decade of controversy over Chiefs’ ownership, and appeared to have pinned his hopes on reaching an agreement with both Kowa and Ramotlhwa because of their status and good standing as former Chiefs’ administrators.

However, those close to developments believed that Tsheole, who also leads Botswana Stock Exchange (BSE), was wasting his time trying to negotiate with the duo, who were already determined to resist all efforts. This follows unsuccessful negotiations where both Directors were alleged to have been left in utter shock concerning the approach and presentation of the Chairman.

While the two Directors would not be drawn to comment, it is said they are both hamstrung to divulge deeper details to Tsheole because of his ambition to transform the club. While Tsheole thought he was jumping off the hoops for the club, the two directors seem not to appreciate his efforts.

Tsheole, was reportedly surprised when he tried to register a commercial footballing company on behalf of Mochudi Centre Chiefs. He deliberately chose the ‘Mochudi Centre Chiefs’ name because of its popularity as it remains a brand country wide.He found out that the company name already exists and is under the directorship of both Kowa and Ramotsha.

While Mochudi Center Chiefs PTY LTD was registered sometime in February of this year, there was another company, Centre Chiefs PTY LTD, associated with the club which has been in existence since the early 1990s. This is the same company that acquired a 7 hector piece of land in Mochudi.

The company had 7 directors namely Victor Kowa as the Executive Chairman, Ezekiel Mooki who was appointed the Technical Director, Serake Mfolwe holding the post of director of Marketing and Public Relations, Simon Mmopi coming as Director of Development, MacLean Letshwiti holding the fort as Director of Finance, Sexton Kowa who was Youth Development Director, and Kgafela Kgafela who occupied the post of Director of Legal Affairs and Board Secreta.

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Sport

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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