Notwane ‘denied’ National Stadium

Kabelo Boranabi | Friday December 16, 2022 12:18

Feeling Disappointed: Notwane have said they only learnt through social media that their match against Mochudi Centre Chiefs had been moved to SSG Ground PIC: MORERI SEJAKGOMO

Notwane were to take on Mochudi Centre Chiefs at the National Stadium in what promises to be a mouthwatering tie.

As per information reaching this publication, Toronto had applied to play at the National Stadium this weekend upon the release of the FDS season fixtures. Mmegi Sport has learnt that Premier League side, Gaborone United (GU) proposed to host a double header event as the Reds take on Extension Gunners this Saturday. The two Gaborone teams could not reach an agreement to share the National Stadium and the Reds ‘won’ the stadium rights.

This week, the Botswana Premier League fixtures confirmed GU will play Gunners at the National Stadium while on Sunday afternoon Township Rollers host Jwaneng Galaxy at the same venue.

The Notwane and Chiefs’ tie will meanwhile be played at the Skanska River Plate Ground in Mochudi on Saturday afternoon as per the FDS fixtures list. “There was an issue that the First Division tickets are selling at a maximum of P25.

So the authorities say the price is too low to host the game at the National Stadium, which sells tickets at a minimum of P30. GU had earlier proposed that they together with Notwane hold a doubleheader but now the excuse was the stadium needed time to recover but it is hosting two fixtures this weekend," a source said. “GU were informed that Notwane had been fixtured in the National Stadium so they felt that they could not play Gunners in their backyard, the Lobatse Sports Complex for their home game.

After Notwane and GU failed to agree on a doubleheader, it was shocking that later Notwane were forced to seek an alternative venue,” the source added. Contacted for comment, Notwane public relations officer, Mogomotsi ‘Ace’ Orapeleng said Notwane had believed the team will host Chiefs at the National Stadium this Saturday only to learn this week that their fixture has been scheduled to a different venue. Orapeleng said the club felt the SSG Ground is not suitable to host a fixture of that magnitude and has since applied to shift to Chiefs’ home ground, the River Plate Ground. “We were fixtured to host Mochudi Centre Chiefs at the National Stadium on December 17 at 4pm. This was later rejected on the basis that the National Stadium has to be given a recovery period.

There was no communication from the First Division South, only to learn on social media that we have been fixtured on Sunday [December 18] at SSG Ground. A small ground to host a game of this magnitude. The safety of our supporters and players come first. We have since now requested to take our game to the River Plate.

Yes, it will be our home away from home on Saturday. We are just waiting for approval as I write this,” Orapeleng said in response to Mmegi Sport's written enquiry. Notwane's request has since been approved and the two sides will now lock horns at Magosi's home ground. Meanwhile, FDS log leaders, Matebele will be away to CRACKiT City Polar at the City Polar Ground. Matebejana and Uniao Flamengo Santos will lock horns at the Holy Ghost Park. URI Black Forest will travel to Tsabong VDC Grounds to take on Black Rangers.

The Tlokweng VDC Grounds will host Tlokweng United and Broadhurst United. On Sunday afternoon, Young Stars will take on VTM FC at the Galaxy Stadium. All the games will kick off at 4pm.