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BFA nullifies club licensing

Spot checks conducted by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) authorities have altogether dismissed Botswana Football Association (BFA) club licensing regulatory frame work after striking awareness that demands and obligations carried were much higher than the standards and expectations of the Botswana game.

The decision by CAF effectively means that the local federation is compelled to invalidate the licenses given to elite clubs and start again from square one.

Coming at the invitation of the association two weeks ago, WeekendSport learned that CAF authorities have raised eyebrows over the position paper BFA possessed about its licensing structure.

The CAF officials were first surprised by the composition and make-up of the two bodies assembled to run and administer the terms of the license. The licensor- which is BFA- was requested to establish two bodies which were to aid in speeding and simplifying the processes of club licensing.

The first group is known as First Instance Body (FIB), specifically established to take binding decision and produce score cards in relation to the performance of the club. The second structure is called Appeals Board where clubs are expected to query their marks as given by the FIB. The two bodies were however encouraged to work independent from each other to produce uncompromised and optimum results.

However, CAF officials recommended that the two Botswana bodies be dissolved and a new establishment built on the premise of relevant qualifications. It said that CAF frowned upon the qualities of the people who made the composition of the bodies.

Moreover, CAF advised that clubs must be engaged when the association drafts club licensing regulations. The authorities explained that the expectation must meet the reality of the Botswana game and not over pass it and run the risk of raising the bar like it is the case now.

It comes to pass that some clubs were heavily red marked for failing to identify stadia as their property. This cannot be allowed to pass as all Botswana clubs do not own stadiums.

Moreover, some clubs were disqualified on the grounds that their coaches lacked required qualification to coach at the elite league. CAF argued that this needs to be re-looked into after it was realized that some of the coaching courses that were conducted in Botswana were not valid.

Newly appointed Chairperson of the Botswana Football League (BFL), Aryl Ralobala of Masitaoka FC confirms that the completed licensing requirement be invalidated and it should be restarted. He says their decision springs to life after careful consideration brought by the CAF body.

Indeed the club licensing requirement must start afresh, some things were not done properly and it is only fair to work fairly with the clubs, he said.

It therefore means that the Botswana processes were done and executed in bad faith and hence observers express misgivings about BFAs blatant disregard of laid down procedures.

Clubs aspiring to play football at the highest level must fulfil aspects in 5 areas; legal, sporting, financial, infrastructure and administration.The global objectives of the Club Licensing Procedure were defined by FIFA, the world football governing body, during its Congress which was held in Munich in 2006.

The FIFA Executive Committee adopted the FIFA Club Licensing Regulations on the 29th October 2007 and it came into force on the 1st of January 2008.However, the CAF Club Licensing Regulations were approved on 19th January 2012, and came into force effective 1st March 2012.

A period of introduction and soft implementation started immediately after the CAF Club Licensing regulations came into force and the Club Licensing Procedure entered into full implementation phase for the first time during the 2017 CAF Inter-clubs Competitions Season. The implementation of the Club Licensing Procedure must be respected by all CAF Member Associations, CAF has advised.

BFA started to implement some of the regulations late in 2017-18 but some decisions began to attract media and public backlash. Some clubs like Notwane, Sharps Shooting Stars and Extension Gunners were docked points as a form of soft punishment.

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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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Sport

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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