Rakgare, BFA refute reports of bad blood
Chakalisa Dube | Saturday March 11, 2023 06:00
Information reaching Mmegi Sport is that the source of the fallout is the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations bid, in which the association feels excluded. It is also said that as a result, Rakgare and the BFA president, MacLean Letshwiti do not enjoy cordial relations.
This has reportedly seen Rakgare oppose the employment of an expatriate CEO at the Botswana Football League (BFL). Highly rated South African, Senzo Mbatha was given the nod to head the BFL.
Sources said Rakgare wanted a local to be appointed to the post. The minister is said to have written to local sports bodies directing them to appoint locals in their respective executive positions.
This week sources said Rakgare recently wrote a letter to the association reminding them to employ a local instead. However, the BFA is said to have told the minister that Mbatha will not play a typical CEO role but will be a consultant. But in an interview with Mmegi Sport this week, Rakgare maintained that his relationship with the BFA and its president Maclean Letshwiti is very intact.
He also denied writing any letter to the BFA. “I take it that the Premier League had a reason for making such an appointment. However, I'm yet to get clarity on the matter. The Premier League has a solid leadership which knows what it's doing so let's give it space to make our football better,” Rakgare said. “The BFA is an independent entity that needs to be respected and we have always accorded them such.
As for my relationship with the BFA president, we are good buddies. Both of us are in this to develop football so there is no fallout whatsoever,” Rakgare said. He, however, said where possible, they encourage local sport associations to give citizens first preference whenever vacancies arise. Mfolo Mfolo, who is the CEO at BFA, denied the alleged rift between the association and Rakgare.
“We are not aware of such allegations. We enjoy a cordial relationship with the minister,” he said, adding that the association is not aware of any letter authored by the minister to the association. Meanwhile, the Premier League is in the hunt for Mbatha’s understudy. The understudy position, titled executive manager, was advertised in the local press this week.
The understudy will take over when Mbatha’s one-year contract elapses next year. It was initially thought that BFA head of competitions and operations, Olebile Sikwane will be roped in as Mbatha’s understudy but the BFL has reportedly decided to advertise the post and Mbatha would have a say as to who should be hired.