Local talent impresses SAFA delegate

Kabelo Boranabi | Saturday April 22, 2023 06:00

North West Province SAFA has teamed up with local sports agency, No Boundaries Sports to open doors for Botswana players, administrators, and coaches in South Africa.

The SAFA North West Province leadership was in Botswana over the weekend and attended the Mogoditshane Fighters and Jwaneng Galaxy league tie played at the Molepolole Sports Complex.

Speaking to Mmegi Sport last Saturday, North West Province SAFA chairperson, David Molwantwa said despite the province not having a team in the elite Premier Soccer League, the province will assist local players to get into any team in South Africa.

He said the initiative will also help arrange friendly matches between local and South African teams. He cited that Jwaneng Galaxy recently went on a pre-season tour to South Africa where the team played against Orbit College and North West University FC.

Galaxy are currently leading the local league while the two South African teams are in line for promotion to the elite league. Molwantwa said to this end, the relationship between the two counties is crucial and beneficial. "We have done a thorough analysis of the Botswana league. We have had talent like Mogakolodi Ngele that caused all sorts of problems in South Africa.

Also, the Botswana women's team is proving to be one of the best. We saw some of the best players when the team played at the WAFCON. This has shown us that Botswana has players that can compete at the highest level and we can learn a lot from them just as they can learn from us. The Botswana league has high standards; it is just that it needs to be marketed.

I think you (Botswana football) are just selling yourself cheap," Molwantwa said. Of recent, the local league has seen an influx of South African players from the North West signing for local teams.

The list includes former Township Rollers utility player, Kamogelo Matsabu, Tshegofatso Chimuku, Mogomotsi Mokoka formerly with Extension Gunners, and ex-Miscellaneous attacker, Orebotse Mongae. The latter has since signed for TS Galaxy in the PSL and Molwantwa said players who fail to break into the elite league in South Africa are recognised after stints in the local league hence the need for the exchange of talent. For her part, No Boundaries Sports chief executive officer, Naledi Mompati said since the start of the initiative, the two organs have lined up moves for local players and coaches ahead of the winter transfer window period. "We do have moves in the pipeline but I ask you to allow me not to mention names. There is a team based in Gauteng that has shown interest in one of our players.

The player will go to the team in July for assessment. This whole programme is to ensure that there are no boundaries between us and our neighbours," she said. North West Province SAFA will set up a football academy that will admit local talents. North West Province SAFA and No Boundaries Sports have teamed up with South African sports apparel, Abmias Sportswear and consultant Martin Antonio to seek opportunities for players from both countries in South America and Europe while sealing personalised player sponsorships.