Bush Bucks look to clip Ostriches wings after poor run
Gosaitse Manuel show thumbs up of his recent scoring form. He will be expected to continue scoring when his Sankoyo Bush Bucks side face Orapa United tommorow. Photo credit: Baboloki Mokgadi
By Thuso Rammidi
Sankoyo Bush Bucks returns to Maun Sports Complex tomorrow to face Orapa United in the BTC Premiership encounter scheduled for a 4pm kick-off. The home side will be looking to bounce back to winning after indifferent results recently. After a routine loss against Township Rollers, Ngurungu, as Sankoyo Bush Bucks is nicknamed, and Orapa United (Ostriches) clash could provide what promises to be a nerve-shredding 90 minutes since the home team has not struggled to impose themselves against their close town neighbours from Boteti in the recent meetings and a different ball game could be on the cards following a winless streak of two fixtures.
A gutsy affair could be on offer in a fixture that is usually a fiery passionate affair, petered out in a manner that is completely uncharacteristic of a brotherhood rivalry between Orapa United and Sankoyo Bush Bucks. Gosaitse Manuel, who was a standout performer against Rollers last weekend and capped his performance with a well deserved goal to keep a 100% scoring run in the last two games, will be coming against his former employers, Orapa United.
Orapa United enjoyed two weeks of success from Township Rollers and Extension Gunners winning 2-0 and 3-0 respectively and boost a clean sheet in from both games. Coached by Zimbabwean Bongani Mafu, the Ostriches are 3rd in the league with 44 points from 25 games. Won 12 and scored 37 times.
In the Zimbabwean duo of Tendai Nyumasi and Tapiwa Nyamanjiva, Orapa United has game changers as a spine that also consists of crafting Lesego Galenamotlhabe who has a knack of scoring coming deep.
In addition, the home side will be wary of their former player, home-grown prodigy in Omaatla “Dunga” Kebatho who backed a brace against Gunners and also netted against Rollers in the same week. The Ostriches will be looking at the attacking talents of Kebatho, Kobamelo “Swere” Keibaikanye, Jerome “JJ” Ramatlhakwana, Gift Moyo, Lemogang “Ntoche” Maswena and Ronald Chikomo and will be buoyant of quality across all departments but most importantly, their lethal strike forces.
Bush Bucks won the last games between the two sides at Iketeng Stadium. Asked if he is worried by his team’s current performances, Philani Mabhena admitted that lack of positive result by his charges is a worrying factor, adding that normally as a head coach, he is held accountable. “We are in a competition and naturally we must win our games if we are to finish at a highest possible position. “Moving at the current pace (in accumulating more points), I am worried as well as my technical team,” he said in an interview on Thursday.
However, Mabhena said he believes in his players to perform at the highest level. He decried of suspension and injuries that recently hampered his options. Fortunately, he will have the full squad to select from after Modiredi Matengu and Moabi Sebele return from suspension. On the array of attacking talent in Orapa United’s striking department, Mabhena admitted that most teams had strengthen in a good way in their attacking power. He added that he will try to find a perfect solution to neutralize the threat they will create.
“We need a game plan and formation that will not expose us to their strong points. We are working on a plan to counter their attacking threat,” Mabhena stated, while not spilling any beans in regard of his approach to stop the Ostriches. He maintained that despite the recent indifferent results, the club needs to soldier on and dig deep to push to further to where the club should be in meeting the season’s expectation.
Sankoyo Bush Bucks returns to Maun Sports Complex tomorrow to face Orapa United in the BTC Premiership encounter scheduled for a 4pm kick-off. The home side will be looking to bounce back to winning after indifferent results recently. After a routine loss against Township Rollers, Ngurungu, as Sankoyo Bush Bucks is nicknamed, and Orapa United (Ostriches) clash could provide what promises to be a nerve-shredding 90 minutes since the home team has not struggled to impose themselves against their close town neighbours from Boteti in the recent meetings and a different ball game could be on the cards following a winless streak of two fixtures.
A gutsy affair could be on offer in a fixture that is usually a fiery passionate affair, petered out in a manner that is completely uncharacteristic of a brotherhood rivalry between Orapa United and Sankoyo Bush Bucks. Gosaitse Manuel, who was a standout performer against Rollers last weekend and capped his performance with a well deserved goal to keep a 100% scoring run in the last two games, will be coming against his former employers, Orapa United.
Orapa United enjoyed two weeks of success from Township Rollers and Extension Gunners winning 2-0 and 3-0 respectively and boost a clean sheet in from both games. Coached by Zimbabwean Bongani Mafu, the Ostriches are 3rd in the league with 44 points from 25 games. Won 12 and scored 37 times.
In the Zimbabwean duo of Tendai Nyumasi and Tapiwa Nyamanjiva, Orapa United has game changers as a spine that also consists of crafting Lesego Galenamotlhabe who has a knack of scoring coming deep.
In addition, the home side will be wary of their former player, home-grown prodigy in Omaatla “Dunga” Kebatho who backed a brace against Gunners and also netted against Rollers in the same week. The Ostriches will be looking at the attacking talents of Kebatho, Kobamelo “Swere” Keibaikanye, Jerome “JJ” Ramatlhakwana, Gift Moyo, Lemogang “Ntoche” Maswena and Ronald Chikomo and will be buoyant of quality across all departments but most importantly, their lethal strike forces.
Bush Bucks won the last games between the two sides at Iketeng Stadium. Asked if he is worried by his team’s current performances, Philani Mabhena admitted that lack of positive result by his charges is a worrying factor, adding that normally as a head coach, he is held accountable. “We are in a competition and naturally we must win our games if we are to finish at a highest possible position. “Moving at the current pace (in accumulating more points), I am worried as well as my technical team,” he said in an interview on Thursday.
However, Mabhena said he believes in his players to perform at the highest level. He decried of suspension and injuries that recently hampered his options. Fortunately, he will have the full squad to select from after Modiredi Matengu and Moabi Sebele return from suspension. On the array of attacking talent in Orapa United’s striking department, Mabhena admitted that most teams had strengthen in a good way in their attacking power. He added that he will try to find a perfect solution to neutralize the threat they will create.
“We need a game plan and formation that will not expose us to their strong points. We are working on a plan to counter their attacking threat,” Mabhena stated, while not spilling any beans in regard of his approach to stop the Ostriches. He maintained that despite the recent indifferent results, the club needs to soldier on and dig deep to push to further to where the club should be in meeting the season’s expectation.
United Terrors in pole position for play-offs berth
By Thuso Rammidi
Nhabe Regional Football Association’s Division One log leaders, Maun United Terrors are inching closer to qualification to National First Division promotional play-offs schedule for Letlhakane at the end of the league programme, in May. The division one campaign goes into the 23rd week of fixture and only three games remain before curtains close as the finish line is well within sight for United Terrors. However, there are other teams with two and three games in hand due to imbalances of games played.
Maun United Terrors leads the pack with 62 points ahead of the defending champions, Delta Winds who trails behind by seven points with a game in hand.
Notorious early pacesetters, Brothers of Peace are perched on third spot with 52 points. The second and third placed teams will wish for a miraculous total collapse of Maun United Terrors to lose all the three games remaining while they win theirs, if they harbour any title success and play-offs berth.
However, that wish could be a difficult ask, with the log leaders having only dropping maximum points once in their entire campaign. Any of the top three clubs, can still dream wildly but starting with Maun Tigers in fourth spot and below, could only start thinking of next season. Maun Tigers, who were relegated to the regional division last season, were favourites to return but their performance disappointed dismally. Having gathered 39 points, the former National First Division North campaigners are 23 points behind log leaders, Maun United Terrors.
It could be safe to focus the league run-in on Maun United Terrors and Delta Winds to pull through looking at their healthy lead at the top end. United Terrors could finish with 71 points if the win all their remaining games. Delta Winds run of wins can end them at 67 points.
How they played last weekend: Western Dynamites 1 Wolfsburg 0, Delta Winds 6 Zungu 0, Moeti United 1 Maun Heroes 1, CTO 3 Wild Dogs 3, Maun Tigers 4 Springbok. On Sunday; Brothers Of Peace 0 Maun United Terrors 2, Maun Heroes 4 Zungu 1.
The race for better finish continues tomorrow amongst many who look to finish in better position as the focus for championship shifts to the top three of Maun United Terrors, Delta Winds and Brothers Of Peace. Maun United Terrors will look to rub salts into the already bleeding wounds of Zungu who has conceded seven goals in their two games played last weekend. The two teams fighting at different ends of the table meet at Gunners of Khwai Grounds.
Wolfsburg FC will tussle against Brothers of Peace at Sedie Grounds while Maun Tigers will look to spoil Delta Winds’ dream of closing the gaps between themselves and United Terrors, when they meet at Tango Grounds.
In other fixtures, Maun Heroes take on Gunners of Khwai at Delta Winds, Wild Dogs and Cubs at Shorobe while Springbok close weekend against Moeti United at Gweta. One game is scheduled on Sunday. Western Dynamites v CTO at Wildlife.
Nhabe Regional Football Association’s Division One log leaders, Maun United Terrors are inching closer to qualification to National First Division promotional play-offs schedule for Letlhakane at the end of the league programme, in May. The division one campaign goes into the 23rd week of fixture and only three games remain before curtains close as the finish line is well within sight for United Terrors. However, there are other teams with two and three games in hand due to imbalances of games played.
Maun United Terrors leads the pack with 62 points ahead of the defending champions, Delta Winds who trails behind by seven points with a game in hand.
Notorious early pacesetters, Brothers of Peace are perched on third spot with 52 points. The second and third placed teams will wish for a miraculous total collapse of Maun United Terrors to lose all the three games remaining while they win theirs, if they harbour any title success and play-offs berth.
However, that wish could be a difficult ask, with the log leaders having only dropping maximum points once in their entire campaign. Any of the top three clubs, can still dream wildly but starting with Maun Tigers in fourth spot and below, could only start thinking of next season. Maun Tigers, who were relegated to the regional division last season, were favourites to return but their performance disappointed dismally. Having gathered 39 points, the former National First Division North campaigners are 23 points behind log leaders, Maun United Terrors.
It could be safe to focus the league run-in on Maun United Terrors and Delta Winds to pull through looking at their healthy lead at the top end. United Terrors could finish with 71 points if the win all their remaining games. Delta Winds run of wins can end them at 67 points.
How they played last weekend: Western Dynamites 1 Wolfsburg 0, Delta Winds 6 Zungu 0, Moeti United 1 Maun Heroes 1, CTO 3 Wild Dogs 3, Maun Tigers 4 Springbok. On Sunday; Brothers Of Peace 0 Maun United Terrors 2, Maun Heroes 4 Zungu 1.
The race for better finish continues tomorrow amongst many who look to finish in better position as the focus for championship shifts to the top three of Maun United Terrors, Delta Winds and Brothers Of Peace. Maun United Terrors will look to rub salts into the already bleeding wounds of Zungu who has conceded seven goals in their two games played last weekend. The two teams fighting at different ends of the table meet at Gunners of Khwai Grounds.
Wolfsburg FC will tussle against Brothers of Peace at Sedie Grounds while Maun Tigers will look to spoil Delta Winds’ dream of closing the gaps between themselves and United Terrors, when they meet at Tango Grounds.
In other fixtures, Maun Heroes take on Gunners of Khwai at Delta Winds, Wild Dogs and Cubs at Shorobe while Springbok close weekend against Moeti United at Gweta. One game is scheduled on Sunday. Western Dynamites v CTO at Wildlife.
Dikinya contest for Nhabe regional chairman position
By Solomon Tjinyeka
Former Nhabe Regional Football Association (NRFA) committee member, Kabelo Dikinya has submitted his name among those who want to be at the helm of Nhabe Region. Dikinya was elected into the secretary general position in 2016 but his lack of activity forced the affiliates to oust him from the position and co-opted Moreotsile Juta into the committee as his replacement few months into the position.
When making his presentation at Maun Stadium recently, Dikinya said that he has the ambition to be the chairman of NRFA as he wants to take Nhabe football to a better level from where it is today. Dikinya said that he is not new in the football fraternity as back home, Bobirwa, he has founded a team which is performing well in Christmas tournaments. He adds that he has been the Vice Chairman of Morupule Wanderers in 2008. “I was voted to become the Regional Secretary of Tswapong region in 2010,” he said adding that upon his arrival in Maun he joined Sankoyo Bush Bucks as the club Manager in 2012 before the team was promoted to Botswana Premier league.
To add to his credentials, in 2016, he joined Delta Wings as the club chairman. Also the same year he was voted to become Nhabe Regional Secretary.
His mission statement is to promote the state of affairs in the region where it can sustain itself independently and seeing at least two teams promoted to premier league and maintain the status quo. He explained that if more teams are in the premier league, it means more teams from the region will also join the lower division which will make our football attractive.
He said that to achieve this, his committee will need strong values such as Botho, discipline, fair play and time management. On the values of fair play Dikinya complained of discrimination among the teams as there are some teams that are minority while some are majority. He promised to ends this when elected the chairman.
Dikinya said his objectives are to guide and educate the region affiliates to conform to regulatory bodies in the country such as players’ rules and regulations, to promote free and transparency in the running of the region affairs. He also highlighted that his priority is to promote development of youth and women football in the region as well as to promote financial stability in the association and also affiliates.
He, however, decried that there is no coordination between the Nhabe region and the village leaders that why the region missed during BOT50 independence celebrations as there we no games organised during the independence celebrations. He stated that a lot of villages benefited from these games because of the coordination between their region and village leadership.
He adds that to achieve the objectives and goals, his committee will need to engage all the stakeholders in the region such as representative from BFA, sports persons from schools district commissioner, representative from chieftaincy, member parliament representative, councillors, police commander, hospital representative, Red Cross, Med Rescue and representative from private medical practitioners.
He Dikinya also adds that to achieve his milestone he will organize a workshop for the newly appointed committee and for affiliates. He also adds that he will organize a workshop for sub region committee such as youth league and women football. He also states that he will engage the business community for financial support. He adds that he will open an account whereby pledges and donations will be made. Money from pledges will be used for running of the region and welfare of the teams, he said
Dikinya also highlighted that one of his milestone is to organize a football festival at Maun Stadium whereby different teams in the region including Sankoyo Bush Bucks and Maun select will compete with other two teams that will be invited to compete. He said that money from gate takings from this festival will be used for the welfare of the teams. He also stressed that by doing these he will be utilizing the stadium by regional teams as the stadium is not utilized.
Dikinya also notes that one of his aims as the chairman of the region is to find a permanent sponsor for the regional football. Dikinya, a nurse profession, had his relationship with the long serving chairperson of NRFA, Kgato Motai souring to irreplaceably proportions.
As he raised his hand to show his ambition for the top position currently held by Motai, Dikinya is yet to show a full list of his skeleton executive, the lobby list. He will also have to be nominated by two clubs for him reach closer to his ambition. “I do not have any problem with anyone who is interested in standing for the position of the region’s chairperson. I did my part,” Motai said in an interview recently.
Motai has led the region since 2006 to date. He is not yet decided if he will seek another term in office and is willing to support anyone who the position.
Based on his statement, it could be construed that he is willing to step down and allow for fresh mind to lead the region. “I will support anyone who wishes to lead the regional football and everyone is welcome even former players and anyone with passion for the sport and wants to take the development of the game forward.” “Even the youth must not shy away from showing interest because they will get support,” Motai said in a relaxed and clam voice.
Former Nhabe Regional Football Association (NRFA) committee member, Kabelo Dikinya has submitted his name among those who want to be at the helm of Nhabe Region. Dikinya was elected into the secretary general position in 2016 but his lack of activity forced the affiliates to oust him from the position and co-opted Moreotsile Juta into the committee as his replacement few months into the position.
When making his presentation at Maun Stadium recently, Dikinya said that he has the ambition to be the chairman of NRFA as he wants to take Nhabe football to a better level from where it is today. Dikinya said that he is not new in the football fraternity as back home, Bobirwa, he has founded a team which is performing well in Christmas tournaments. He adds that he has been the Vice Chairman of Morupule Wanderers in 2008. “I was voted to become the Regional Secretary of Tswapong region in 2010,” he said adding that upon his arrival in Maun he joined Sankoyo Bush Bucks as the club Manager in 2012 before the team was promoted to Botswana Premier league.
To add to his credentials, in 2016, he joined Delta Wings as the club chairman. Also the same year he was voted to become Nhabe Regional Secretary.
His mission statement is to promote the state of affairs in the region where it can sustain itself independently and seeing at least two teams promoted to premier league and maintain the status quo. He explained that if more teams are in the premier league, it means more teams from the region will also join the lower division which will make our football attractive.
He said that to achieve this, his committee will need strong values such as Botho, discipline, fair play and time management. On the values of fair play Dikinya complained of discrimination among the teams as there are some teams that are minority while some are majority. He promised to ends this when elected the chairman.
Dikinya said his objectives are to guide and educate the region affiliates to conform to regulatory bodies in the country such as players’ rules and regulations, to promote free and transparency in the running of the region affairs. He also highlighted that his priority is to promote development of youth and women football in the region as well as to promote financial stability in the association and also affiliates.
He, however, decried that there is no coordination between the Nhabe region and the village leaders that why the region missed during BOT50 independence celebrations as there we no games organised during the independence celebrations. He stated that a lot of villages benefited from these games because of the coordination between their region and village leadership.
He adds that to achieve the objectives and goals, his committee will need to engage all the stakeholders in the region such as representative from BFA, sports persons from schools district commissioner, representative from chieftaincy, member parliament representative, councillors, police commander, hospital representative, Red Cross, Med Rescue and representative from private medical practitioners.
He Dikinya also adds that to achieve his milestone he will organize a workshop for the newly appointed committee and for affiliates. He also adds that he will organize a workshop for sub region committee such as youth league and women football. He also states that he will engage the business community for financial support. He adds that he will open an account whereby pledges and donations will be made. Money from pledges will be used for running of the region and welfare of the teams, he said
Dikinya also highlighted that one of his milestone is to organize a football festival at Maun Stadium whereby different teams in the region including Sankoyo Bush Bucks and Maun select will compete with other two teams that will be invited to compete. He said that money from gate takings from this festival will be used for the welfare of the teams. He also stressed that by doing these he will be utilizing the stadium by regional teams as the stadium is not utilized.
Dikinya also notes that one of his aims as the chairman of the region is to find a permanent sponsor for the regional football. Dikinya, a nurse profession, had his relationship with the long serving chairperson of NRFA, Kgato Motai souring to irreplaceably proportions.
As he raised his hand to show his ambition for the top position currently held by Motai, Dikinya is yet to show a full list of his skeleton executive, the lobby list. He will also have to be nominated by two clubs for him reach closer to his ambition. “I do not have any problem with anyone who is interested in standing for the position of the region’s chairperson. I did my part,” Motai said in an interview recently.
Motai has led the region since 2006 to date. He is not yet decided if he will seek another term in office and is willing to support anyone who the position.
Based on his statement, it could be construed that he is willing to step down and allow for fresh mind to lead the region. “I will support anyone who wishes to lead the regional football and everyone is welcome even former players and anyone with passion for the sport and wants to take the development of the game forward.” “Even the youth must not shy away from showing interest because they will get support,” Motai said in a relaxed and clam voice.