#Re a BaTsaa. At least two weeks remain before the kick-off of Netball World Youth Cup (NWYC) 2017 in Gaborone, Botswana and the Local Organising Committee (LOC) has already started the activation and hype of the games across the country with a trophy tour. The tour is scheduled for Maun next week Tuesday.
Slow activity in the transfer market
By Thuso Rammidi
The ttransfer window which was opened for players to look for greener pastures between clubs, is slowly gathering momentum with clubs looking to make their intentions clear to compete in the coming 2017/18 season.
However, the period has been quiet since it opened at the beginning of the month, with league champions’ Township Rollers, the only club to have already signed one player from Baroka FC in South Africa and also hosts of established stars in local football, including Jwaneng Galaxy’s trio, Kebonyemodisa Lenanyane, Thabang Sesinyi and Thero Setsile linked.
For Maun-based Sankoyo Bush Bucks, it could be another period of the rebuilding process. The club will need to build from the top technical hierarchy to playing personnel as well as supporting staff, with both coach and his assistant’s contracts having been elapsed and majority of players as free agents.
It has been revealed that the local club will hold trials at the end of the month, with the youth structures in mind to meet the requirements of the to-be enforced club licensing system in the 2017/18 campaign as well as strengthening all their departments from goalkeeping to attack.
It has emerged in a recent interview with the club’s mouthpiece, Baganetsi Kamanakao, that the club has identified some players from relegated Green Lovers as well as Nico United - a move said to be forced by the club’s financial constraints to scout for quality players.
With a bunch of players from relegated teams, it could be assumed that Bush Bucks will continue with their relegation fight, as a result of players with bottom half mentality as opposed to success mindedness required to rub into their teammates and carrying the club forward.
Bush Bucks will be required to look for a clinical striker, a reliable defender and goalkeeper to upgrade or provide a quality back-up to the weaknesses of Kabelo Kuti and injury-prone Modiredi Matengu and Refilwe Senyane.
The club can still look at their fringe players in defence, Moabi Sebele and Tendai Kesekile, to grow but if they need to be seen as making progress and ending their relegation flirts, it will call for competitive re-enforcements as the competition will not allow for in season trials and throwing them into the deep end.
Winger Botshelo Mafoko will officially sign with Jwaneng Galaxy today. He has been playing on loan for the remainder of the season after agreeing a transfer to the Mike Sithole’s side in January. The club’s vice chairperson, Onalenna Ditlhakanyane has confirmed that Bush Bucks has received a P25 000 pucker for Mafoko’s services from the Mascom Top 8 champions.
Ditlhakenyane maintained the club is yet to receive correspondences from other clubs who would want to enter into transfer negotiations with their players, but did not rule out possible ‘tapping’ that has been ongoing for sometime, where clubs has approached some players unofficially.
Regarding their technical team, he revealed that the club has decided not to stand in outgoing coach, Dragolo Stanjlovic’s way, as his contract has elapsed.
Interestingly, the club had earlier maintained that Drago‘s deal ends in August, but impeccable sources within the club revealed a damning revelation that in fact the Serbian has long resign but decided to continue until the end of the league programme.
Recent transfers rumour has linked the Serbian with newly promoted side, Tafic Sporting Club of Francistown as well as league champions Township Rollers.
Ditlhakenyane stated that he could not clearly say if they will be with Stanjlovic for next season, adding that it will only depend on the club securing enough funds topay his dues.
It has also emerged that Bush Bucks are looking at their former coach, Philbert Philani Mabhena for a possible return to the dugout. Of late, rumours have emerged and sources close to the club have spoken in hush tones about the impending Mabhena return.
The mills have it that the Zimbabwean tactician could retrace his steps on a condition that the club shows him their financial kitty and ability to meet players’ wages for him to build the club. It is believed that for him to return, despite statements made that he and his former talisman, Morris Ruvizo, still believe they have an unfinished business of taking the club to great heights, he gave the club an ultimatum to allow him to build the team his own way, including players’ contract negotiations and signings, that will see him ultimately taking the modern era, managerial role as per the European leagues models.
It is also said that as part of his condition, he will want assistant coach, Gadimang Tiiso, to be offered a long-term contract and become heir to the coaching throne upon his departure.
The ttransfer window which was opened for players to look for greener pastures between clubs, is slowly gathering momentum with clubs looking to make their intentions clear to compete in the coming 2017/18 season.
However, the period has been quiet since it opened at the beginning of the month, with league champions’ Township Rollers, the only club to have already signed one player from Baroka FC in South Africa and also hosts of established stars in local football, including Jwaneng Galaxy’s trio, Kebonyemodisa Lenanyane, Thabang Sesinyi and Thero Setsile linked.
For Maun-based Sankoyo Bush Bucks, it could be another period of the rebuilding process. The club will need to build from the top technical hierarchy to playing personnel as well as supporting staff, with both coach and his assistant’s contracts having been elapsed and majority of players as free agents.
It has been revealed that the local club will hold trials at the end of the month, with the youth structures in mind to meet the requirements of the to-be enforced club licensing system in the 2017/18 campaign as well as strengthening all their departments from goalkeeping to attack.
It has emerged in a recent interview with the club’s mouthpiece, Baganetsi Kamanakao, that the club has identified some players from relegated Green Lovers as well as Nico United - a move said to be forced by the club’s financial constraints to scout for quality players.
With a bunch of players from relegated teams, it could be assumed that Bush Bucks will continue with their relegation fight, as a result of players with bottom half mentality as opposed to success mindedness required to rub into their teammates and carrying the club forward.
Bush Bucks will be required to look for a clinical striker, a reliable defender and goalkeeper to upgrade or provide a quality back-up to the weaknesses of Kabelo Kuti and injury-prone Modiredi Matengu and Refilwe Senyane.
The club can still look at their fringe players in defence, Moabi Sebele and Tendai Kesekile, to grow but if they need to be seen as making progress and ending their relegation flirts, it will call for competitive re-enforcements as the competition will not allow for in season trials and throwing them into the deep end.
Winger Botshelo Mafoko will officially sign with Jwaneng Galaxy today. He has been playing on loan for the remainder of the season after agreeing a transfer to the Mike Sithole’s side in January. The club’s vice chairperson, Onalenna Ditlhakanyane has confirmed that Bush Bucks has received a P25 000 pucker for Mafoko’s services from the Mascom Top 8 champions.
Ditlhakenyane maintained the club is yet to receive correspondences from other clubs who would want to enter into transfer negotiations with their players, but did not rule out possible ‘tapping’ that has been ongoing for sometime, where clubs has approached some players unofficially.
Regarding their technical team, he revealed that the club has decided not to stand in outgoing coach, Dragolo Stanjlovic’s way, as his contract has elapsed.
Interestingly, the club had earlier maintained that Drago‘s deal ends in August, but impeccable sources within the club revealed a damning revelation that in fact the Serbian has long resign but decided to continue until the end of the league programme.
Recent transfers rumour has linked the Serbian with newly promoted side, Tafic Sporting Club of Francistown as well as league champions Township Rollers.
Ditlhakenyane stated that he could not clearly say if they will be with Stanjlovic for next season, adding that it will only depend on the club securing enough funds topay his dues.
It has also emerged that Bush Bucks are looking at their former coach, Philbert Philani Mabhena for a possible return to the dugout. Of late, rumours have emerged and sources close to the club have spoken in hush tones about the impending Mabhena return.
The mills have it that the Zimbabwean tactician could retrace his steps on a condition that the club shows him their financial kitty and ability to meet players’ wages for him to build the club. It is believed that for him to return, despite statements made that he and his former talisman, Morris Ruvizo, still believe they have an unfinished business of taking the club to great heights, he gave the club an ultimatum to allow him to build the team his own way, including players’ contract negotiations and signings, that will see him ultimately taking the modern era, managerial role as per the European leagues models.
It is also said that as part of his condition, he will want assistant coach, Gadimang Tiiso, to be offered a long-term contract and become heir to the coaching throne upon his departure.
Ruzivo fuels Mabhena’s return speculations
By Thuso Rammidi
The former darling of Sankoyo Bush Bucks, Morris Ruzivo, has added some weight into the rumour mill that suggests former Sankoyo Bush Bucks coach Philani Mabhena could make a return to the club, with himself declaring should it materialise; chances of his return are also high.
Ruzivo was in Maun in the past week as part of his off-season relaxation, and will see his contract end next month with his club, Jwaneng Galaxy, delaying to open talks of extension.
In an interview last week, Mbira, as Morris Ruzivo is called, revealed his love for the Maun side and holds the club in high esteem for the breakthrough it afforded him in Botswana football and he stressed that he is also open for a return if there is an improvement in club’s administration and finances.
He, however, stressed that money is not his primary motivation in his decisions but to play where he is appreciated and can enjoy his football utilising his strength, talent and skill in an attacking role.
Ruzivo has been played mostly on the wings at Galaxy, a different position to his roaming second striker role he excelled in his maiden season in Bush Bucks colours. He ended the season with 11 goals for Bush Bucks and was among the top 10 goals scorers in the league.
Ruzivo left Bush Bucks in January 2016 and penned an 18 months deal. He won the Mascom Top 8 championship and finished as runners-up in the BTC Premiership, but was a shadow of himself with average performance in a rigid Mike Sithole’s coaching style and approach. “My move from Sankoyo to Galaxy FC was because I was frustrated of the things that were happening in the team,” he explained.
“Another thing was that Mabhena wanted me to come and help him at Galaxy since things were not going accordingly for him in Jwaneng.
“I felt it was the right time for me to move since things were not going well at Sankoyo and they were become worse,” he reasoned.
“I had come from home, Zimbabwe, to earn a living not to do crime and if things are not good- “how can you help a team when you have stress”-but Sankoyo is a great club and I really wanted to stay here.”
Ruzivo said he only wanted to leave Bush Bucks when the club has qualified for Top 8 tournament and the games having been played in Maun, while also stating that he wanted a good position in the league having been achieved by the North West side.
“My contract is coming to an end and there is a possibility that I might come back to Sankoyo but there are few things that must be put in place first,” said Mbira.
He added, “There are things I want to achieve. At Galaxy my playing standards have declined. There is a difference in ideology between how I play and how the coach, Mike Sithole, want me to play.”
“Being used out position is something that is frustrating. \
It is something that does not sit well with me but because I am a foreigner, I sacrifice for the sake of the team.”
Ruzivo stated that he became the players he is because of the opportunity afforded by Bush Bucks and he will be always open to come back maintaining he has an unfinished business.
While he was done well in Jwaneng, he is still itching that he has not won anything where he started and believe that Sankoyo can go on and win the league or a cup glory only if football is run the right way, where the right decision was done and correct procedures followed.
He went on record to say he will be a free agent come end of July and he will be ready to join any teams that dangles a good offer on the table.
The former darling of Sankoyo Bush Bucks, Morris Ruzivo, has added some weight into the rumour mill that suggests former Sankoyo Bush Bucks coach Philani Mabhena could make a return to the club, with himself declaring should it materialise; chances of his return are also high.
Ruzivo was in Maun in the past week as part of his off-season relaxation, and will see his contract end next month with his club, Jwaneng Galaxy, delaying to open talks of extension.
In an interview last week, Mbira, as Morris Ruzivo is called, revealed his love for the Maun side and holds the club in high esteem for the breakthrough it afforded him in Botswana football and he stressed that he is also open for a return if there is an improvement in club’s administration and finances.
He, however, stressed that money is not his primary motivation in his decisions but to play where he is appreciated and can enjoy his football utilising his strength, talent and skill in an attacking role.
Ruzivo has been played mostly on the wings at Galaxy, a different position to his roaming second striker role he excelled in his maiden season in Bush Bucks colours. He ended the season with 11 goals for Bush Bucks and was among the top 10 goals scorers in the league.
Ruzivo left Bush Bucks in January 2016 and penned an 18 months deal. He won the Mascom Top 8 championship and finished as runners-up in the BTC Premiership, but was a shadow of himself with average performance in a rigid Mike Sithole’s coaching style and approach. “My move from Sankoyo to Galaxy FC was because I was frustrated of the things that were happening in the team,” he explained.
“Another thing was that Mabhena wanted me to come and help him at Galaxy since things were not going accordingly for him in Jwaneng.
“I felt it was the right time for me to move since things were not going well at Sankoyo and they were become worse,” he reasoned.
“I had come from home, Zimbabwe, to earn a living not to do crime and if things are not good- “how can you help a team when you have stress”-but Sankoyo is a great club and I really wanted to stay here.”
Ruzivo said he only wanted to leave Bush Bucks when the club has qualified for Top 8 tournament and the games having been played in Maun, while also stating that he wanted a good position in the league having been achieved by the North West side.
“My contract is coming to an end and there is a possibility that I might come back to Sankoyo but there are few things that must be put in place first,” said Mbira.
He added, “There are things I want to achieve. At Galaxy my playing standards have declined. There is a difference in ideology between how I play and how the coach, Mike Sithole, want me to play.”
“Being used out position is something that is frustrating. \
It is something that does not sit well with me but because I am a foreigner, I sacrifice for the sake of the team.”
Ruzivo stated that he became the players he is because of the opportunity afforded by Bush Bucks and he will be always open to come back maintaining he has an unfinished business.
While he was done well in Jwaneng, he is still itching that he has not won anything where he started and believe that Sankoyo can go on and win the league or a cup glory only if football is run the right way, where the right decision was done and correct procedures followed.
He went on record to say he will be a free agent come end of July and he will be ready to join any teams that dangles a good offer on the table.
North West District gears up for 2017 Botswana Games
By Thuso Rammidi
The North West District Council is gearing up their preparations for the 5th edition of Botswana Games which will hosted in Gaborone in December.
Team NorthWest finished 4th in the previous edition hosted in Francistown and they are looking to lift the trophy for the first time since the games’ inception, buoyant of the abundant talent in the region.
In an interview with this publication on Wednesday, the team’s teams general manager, Tebogo Mogaetsho has revealed that unlike the previous games, this year will be different as districts will start with qualifying games in September.
He explained that districts are divided into blocks, which will see Team NorthWest competing against Chobe, Boteti and Ghanzi, with the qualifiers for the games scheduled for Maun.
Position one and two teams will go to the quarter final stages against other districts, where a total of eight teams from boys and girls will face each other.
Soccer, volleyball, softball and basketball will have boys and girls teams, while netball represented by girls only. The District has already put their team of officials in place with the final selection expected at the end of June.
According to Mogaetsho, selection of coaches, headed by the Botswana National Sports Commission (BNSC)’s sports development officer, is nearing completion with coaches already identified and they will receive appointment letters by the end of the month.
He believes that the district has many qualified and talented coaches who has been involved in Botswana Primary Schools Sports Association (BOPSSA), Botswana Integrated Sports Association (BISA) and Council of Schools Sports Associations in Southern Africa (COSSASA) games and they will bring a wealth of experience to lead the district to a better finish, better than previous achievements in Francistown two years ago.
The leadership has already met with the coordinators. Mogaetsho explained that the majority of the coordinators has been also retained based on their performances at the last games, with only few additions made to the team.
Mogaetsho expressed optimism that all their teams to qualify and go on to win many medals at the finals, adding that the district is looking for increased number of medals gained that would propel them to lift the trophy.
He said pupils born from 1998 at the time of the qualifiers are eligible for selection into the teams and confident that the district had previously provided more athletes to the BOPSSA and BISA teams and it could be a springboard to take another step towards the Game’s dominance.
They are pinning their hopes in swimming, a code that has many opportunities in medals collection, but the district has not done better in the sport and they will be looking for change in fortunes, with their swimming coach, Pelonomi Maruza promising to take the swimmers to greater heights.
Mogaetsho said there are many medals to be won in swimming which could add to the overall medal count of the district and could ultimately boost the district’s chances to emerge as champions of Botswana Games and bring the trophy to the North West District for the first time since the games inception in 2007.
He appealed to the business community to come on board and assist the team financially and with uniforms to look presentable, and also called on parents for support, saying every child who is currently residing in North West District is eligible for selection and compete. Dates for the finals are yet to be confirmed.
The North West District Council is gearing up their preparations for the 5th edition of Botswana Games which will hosted in Gaborone in December.
Team NorthWest finished 4th in the previous edition hosted in Francistown and they are looking to lift the trophy for the first time since the games’ inception, buoyant of the abundant talent in the region.
In an interview with this publication on Wednesday, the team’s teams general manager, Tebogo Mogaetsho has revealed that unlike the previous games, this year will be different as districts will start with qualifying games in September.
He explained that districts are divided into blocks, which will see Team NorthWest competing against Chobe, Boteti and Ghanzi, with the qualifiers for the games scheduled for Maun.
Position one and two teams will go to the quarter final stages against other districts, where a total of eight teams from boys and girls will face each other.
Soccer, volleyball, softball and basketball will have boys and girls teams, while netball represented by girls only. The District has already put their team of officials in place with the final selection expected at the end of June.
According to Mogaetsho, selection of coaches, headed by the Botswana National Sports Commission (BNSC)’s sports development officer, is nearing completion with coaches already identified and they will receive appointment letters by the end of the month.
He believes that the district has many qualified and talented coaches who has been involved in Botswana Primary Schools Sports Association (BOPSSA), Botswana Integrated Sports Association (BISA) and Council of Schools Sports Associations in Southern Africa (COSSASA) games and they will bring a wealth of experience to lead the district to a better finish, better than previous achievements in Francistown two years ago.
The leadership has already met with the coordinators. Mogaetsho explained that the majority of the coordinators has been also retained based on their performances at the last games, with only few additions made to the team.
Mogaetsho expressed optimism that all their teams to qualify and go on to win many medals at the finals, adding that the district is looking for increased number of medals gained that would propel them to lift the trophy.
He said pupils born from 1998 at the time of the qualifiers are eligible for selection into the teams and confident that the district had previously provided more athletes to the BOPSSA and BISA teams and it could be a springboard to take another step towards the Game’s dominance.
They are pinning their hopes in swimming, a code that has many opportunities in medals collection, but the district has not done better in the sport and they will be looking for change in fortunes, with their swimming coach, Pelonomi Maruza promising to take the swimmers to greater heights.
Mogaetsho said there are many medals to be won in swimming which could add to the overall medal count of the district and could ultimately boost the district’s chances to emerge as champions of Botswana Games and bring the trophy to the North West District for the first time since the games inception in 2007.
He appealed to the business community to come on board and assist the team financially and with uniforms to look presentable, and also called on parents for support, saying every child who is currently residing in North West District is eligible for selection and compete. Dates for the finals are yet to be confirmed.
Zebras gallop in to Cosafa Cup
By Thuso Rammidi
Zebras, Botswana’s senior national football team, will depart to South Africa to undertake competition in the Council Of Southern African Football Associations (COSAFA) Castle Cup on Wednesday next week, looking to make improvements on their runners-up accolades from last year’s edition.
Under interim coach, Oris Radipotsane, who has been elevated to the hot seat following Peter Butler’s exit last week, Zebras will join the competition’s quarter finals with a clash against Zambia’s Chipolopolo on the first July at the Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace in Rustenburg.
Radipotsane has inherited what looks like a possible strongest side by local standards and it will be interesting to see if he can go one better than previous achievements where the Zebras were painfully beaten by neighbouring South Africa’s Bafana Bafana in a closely contested final that saw tempers flying.
The majority of the squad that did duty in the opening games of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Mauritania earlier this month has been retained with internationals Mogakolodi Ngele and Onkabetse Makgantai missing out.
The duo is not eligible for the tournament but the list includes Lebogang Ditsile and Mpho Kgaswane, who spent last season at the relegated Highlanders Park and Baroka FC in the South Africa Premiership.
A press release from the Botswana Football Association (BFA) has revealed that the team reported for camp on June 13. The final 20 men squad that will do duty will be announced after Jwaneng camp.
The competition starts on Sunday with the deciding match to crown this year’s champions on July 7.
The team left on Wednesday to undergo an intensive training camp in Jwaneng ahead of their trip to South Africa.
The list includes; Goalkeepers: Anthony Gouvs, Micheal James, Mwampule Masule. Defenders: Bogosi Kaekwe, Moreetsi Mosimanyana, Mosha Gaolaolwe, Ofentse Nato, Onkabetse Seforo, Thabo Leinanyane, Thato Kebue, Simisane Mathumo. Midfielders: Kabelo Seakanyeng, Lebogang Ditsile, Lemogang Maswena, Lemponye Tshireletso, Lesego Galenamotlhale, Mpho Kgaswane, Richard Legwaila, Tapiwa Gadibolae, Thatayaone Kgamanyane, Thero Setsile. Strikers: Omaatla Kebatho, Thabang Sesinyi, Tumisang Orebonye, Hendrick Moyo.
Zebras, Botswana’s senior national football team, will depart to South Africa to undertake competition in the Council Of Southern African Football Associations (COSAFA) Castle Cup on Wednesday next week, looking to make improvements on their runners-up accolades from last year’s edition.
Under interim coach, Oris Radipotsane, who has been elevated to the hot seat following Peter Butler’s exit last week, Zebras will join the competition’s quarter finals with a clash against Zambia’s Chipolopolo on the first July at the Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace in Rustenburg.
Radipotsane has inherited what looks like a possible strongest side by local standards and it will be interesting to see if he can go one better than previous achievements where the Zebras were painfully beaten by neighbouring South Africa’s Bafana Bafana in a closely contested final that saw tempers flying.
The majority of the squad that did duty in the opening games of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Mauritania earlier this month has been retained with internationals Mogakolodi Ngele and Onkabetse Makgantai missing out.
The duo is not eligible for the tournament but the list includes Lebogang Ditsile and Mpho Kgaswane, who spent last season at the relegated Highlanders Park and Baroka FC in the South Africa Premiership.
A press release from the Botswana Football Association (BFA) has revealed that the team reported for camp on June 13. The final 20 men squad that will do duty will be announced after Jwaneng camp.
The competition starts on Sunday with the deciding match to crown this year’s champions on July 7.
The team left on Wednesday to undergo an intensive training camp in Jwaneng ahead of their trip to South Africa.
The list includes; Goalkeepers: Anthony Gouvs, Micheal James, Mwampule Masule. Defenders: Bogosi Kaekwe, Moreetsi Mosimanyana, Mosha Gaolaolwe, Ofentse Nato, Onkabetse Seforo, Thabo Leinanyane, Thato Kebue, Simisane Mathumo. Midfielders: Kabelo Seakanyeng, Lebogang Ditsile, Lemogang Maswena, Lemponye Tshireletso, Lesego Galenamotlhale, Mpho Kgaswane, Richard Legwaila, Tapiwa Gadibolae, Thatayaone Kgamanyane, Thero Setsile. Strikers: Omaatla Kebatho, Thabang Sesinyi, Tumisang Orebonye, Hendrick Moyo.