The best and worst of a competitive season
Boitumelo Khutsafalo | Friday May 2, 2014 15:40
Most exciting young player
His team, Uniao Flamengo Santos might have relegated but Ayanda Molefe was one of the exciting young players in the league. Others are Shadrack Kgosietsile (Township Rollers), Segolame Boy (Miscellaneous) and Karabo Phiri (Gaborone United). However, Kgosietsile and Phiri only started getting game time towards the middle of the second round. Molefe is rumoured to have already attracted interest from several Premier League teams.
Most improved player
Without doubt, Township Rollers goalkeeper, Mwampule Masule has shown tremendous improvement this season. After a shaky start as Rollers’ first choice goalkeeper following Kabelo Dambe’s departure, Masule has proved his doubters wrong. Some attribute his exploits to the arrival of another good goalkeeper, Michael Pepukani. Others believe it was his time to blossom after gaining experience as first choice goalkeeper the previous season.
Player of the season
Several names come up but BDF XI left back, Otlantshekela Mooketsi has been a revelation this season.
He together with Masule and FC Satmos’ goal poacher, Patrick Kaunda have been short-listed for the be MOBILE Premier League best player award. His performances have landed him a place in the national team.
Best signing of the season
Another tough category where the likes of Rollers’ Jerome Louis, Bonolo Fraizer (Mochudi Centre Chiefs), Osego Gaotetwe (GU) and FC Satmos’ Patrick Kaunda have done very well at their new teams.
Louis has fitted at Rollers like a glove in hand and scored some crucial goals while providing assists to his fellow attackers. Fraizer has scored many goals for his new team and seemed like a perfect replacement for Kekaetswe Moloi.
However, Kaunda may walk away with this one after helping Satmos’ finish in sixth position on their return to the elite league. He is this season’s top striker with 20 goals.
Flop of the season
Although he added some much needed experience at Notwane after his high profile arrival, former Bafana Bafana midfielder, Benedict Vilakazi failed to fit at BMC. He joined BMC in the middle of the season after he unceremoniously left Notwane. But he was released by BMC even before the season ended.
Best moment of the season
It has to be towards the end when four teams had a chance to walk away with the league title. Local football had not witnessed such and end to the season in many years. In 2008, the winners were confirmed on the last day but the race was less tense with only two teams, GU and Chiefs in contention. This season, Chiefs, Rollers, BDF XI and GU were still in the race going into the last matches of the season. Rollers eventually clinched it after a 1-0 win over Miscellaneous.
Worst moment
There were quite a number of bad incidents that nearly ruined what was one of the most interesting and competitive seasons in recent years. The first one has to be conflicts over the ownership of some clubs. BMC were temporarily suspended from the league and had to start the season late following internal bickering over who are the rightful owners of the club.
The dispute involved the parastatal Botswana Meat Commission (BMC) and some club members. The issue ended up at the High Court. Notwane members found themselves fighting for the club at the courts with one Gift Mogapi who had initially been handed control.
The issue ended up in court. Then there is the recent violence at the New Lobatse Stadium that seriously dented the image of the competition. Several spectators were left injured after a clash between supporters of Extension Gunners and GU.
Gunners have since been charged with a single count of misconduct by the Botswana Premier League (BPL) disciplinary committee.
BDF XI were docked six points for taking a football matter to court, a move which cost them the league title.