Ndundu stay put in Shakawe, face gruelling road trips
Kabelo Boranabi | Friday July 4, 2025 12:09
The team will pay a hefty fine for gaining promotion to the First Division North, as it is expected to make a total of just over 8,600km travelling to away games. The team secured its first ever berth in the First Division North League after clinching the Northern Block promotional playoffs last weekend in Letlhakane. Ndundu began their promotion campaign with a 1-1 draw against Sowa United, followed by a 3-1 win over Desert Buffaloes before wrapping up the three-game league with a 0-0 draw against Ferry Wanderers. The Flour Boys, as the team is affectionately called, amassed five points and made it through to the second-tier league by a slim margin of goal difference, after finishing level on points with a Ferry Wanderers. Their weekend exploits saw them ascend to the First Division, becoming the first team from the region to achieve the feat. Their maiden First Division campaign, however, carries a hefty prize with the club's budget set to be overstretched. Situated in Shakawe in the Okavango District, Ndundu is the furthest team in the 12-team league. Their shortest away trip will still demand a 375km journey to Maun where Sankoyo Bush Bucks lies in waiting.
The team's longest trip will be a 1,047km round journey to Sefhare to face JJ United and also two 1,030km long trips to take on Tshikinyega Tigers and MR Highlanders in Mahalapye. In between, there is 944km journey to Eleven Angels in Francistown and an 843km to take on Chadibe FC. In addition, the Flour Boys are also to take on a 920km to Tsabotlhe FC's base in Serowe, a 977km to face Tonota FC, 962km Motlakase Power Dynamos in Palapye, and lastly 481km to Mbalakalungu SC in Kasane. To get to Kasane, Ndundu would travel via Namibia in attempt shorten the distance while saving costs. Speaking to MmegiSport this week, club's chairperson, Moronga Carah Disho said the team will spend between P10,000 to P13,000 for a single away trip whilst he said the longest journey could cost just over P15,000. This will push the tally to just over P150,000 and this is just on travel costs. Disho quickly thwarted reports that the team could relocate to Maun ahead of the next campaign. 'There is no intention of moving to Maun. The people here are happy and willing to host from other regions here. People should understand that the promotional of the team to First Division is great development to the Okavango Constituency.
So, we as the management of the team, our objective is to bring sport development to the people,' said Disho. He added the move is to have the budding talents in the region draw inspiration from watching the second highest of local football in their home ground. Disho further said playing home games in Shakawe is also a blessing as it could help turn talent scouts' heads to their region. Ndundu's pockets are not deep enough to sustain the team in the second tier and Disho said the club has since sent an SOS to the supporters and well wishers in the region. The club's P30 Campaign had, at press time, received over 100 donations. 'In terms of resources we are currently facing a serious problem. Apart from human resource and team kits, we have no specific team vehicle for transport purpose. The team has no sponsor and many other resources. There are no stable finances as it has been relying on contributions from supporters and management as well as some individuals and businesses,' Disho said. Ndundu was formed three decades ago in 1995 but played competitive football in 1999. The team developed a relationship with teams in the Kavango region in Namibia where it has been invited to play a series of tournaments.
Since then the Flour Boys have had a steady rise that rocketed post-COVID-19 period. The team has been perpetual winners of the Shakawe Stream League but failed to win the Nhabe Regional playoffs on two occasions in the 2022–2023 season and the 2023–2024 campaign. Their regional success came in the just-ended campaign and went all the way to win the block playoffs on their debut appearance. 'Players and management of the team are very happy to achieve an objective set from the beginning of the last season,' he said. 'The community of Shakawe is highly appreciative of the achievement and willing to support the team going forward. 'In addition, as management we are receiving messages nation wide appreciating the history made for the Okavango region. This is the first time a team from Okavango region will play in the First Division League.' Disho said the team would keep the core of their technical team ahead of the next season as Ndundu would not make many changes.