Calls to axe Mamelodi unjustified
Dennis Keagile | Friday September 12, 2014 11:45
The collapse in negotiations was blamed on him. But given the fact that it is the Botswana Football Association (BFA) and the BPL management that is tasked with negotiations, the Mamelodi axing calls sounded petty, childish and personal.
The lack of maturity and professionalism from football administrators baffles me at times. Many a times, they do not want to take responsibility for their failures but are fond of blaming other people.
This is one element that at times retards football development because we are always fishing for scapegoats for our failures. I could not understand why Mamelodi was being persecuted for the delay in the sponsorship deal.
Unfortunately, it also looked like the sponsor wanted to apply political pressure on the powers that be to accept the first deal, which was very low. Credit should therefore go to the BPL management and in particular its chairperson, Mokganedi Mike Molefe for sticking his neck out for the clubs.
This however does not suggest that both Mamelodi and Molefe are angels but some of the accusations against them have been more personal than anything. Emotions and self-interest tend to get in the way of football administrators at times. While a sponsorship of P30 million for three years is obviously not enough, it is something to cherish and celebrate. One is tempted to thank Oscar Kubara of the Munhumutapa infamy. His outlandish dream of sponsoring the Premier League for P60 million six or so years ago implanted a belief or created a million pula dream for the competition.
The Premier League has never looked back. What I would like to see our clubs do is improving their administration and players who qualify to pay tax should do so. Time has come for these professional players to pay income tax just like other people.
Some years ago when I was a stringer for the Sowetan newspaper, I was required to pay tax even for an article whose value is only R45. Our clubs ought to start putting systems in place for the players to pay tax. This does not mean that players should seek salary hikes because of tax. They should see tax paying as a responsibility of a law-abiding citizens.
ECCO
Distress signals are already out at ECCO City Greens even though I do not know why the club still calls itself ECCO. It would be a tragedy if the club relegates and follow other prominent Francistown sides like (TASC) and TAFIC to lower division football. Perhaps time has come for the likes of TASC and TAFIC to merge into one club after the examples set by Jwaneng and Orapa teams.
Once completed, the Francistown Stadium will probably become the biggest sports facility in the country and it would be a tragedy not to have club from the city in the elite league. Warning signals are also flashing at Satmos of Selebi-Phikwe.
Unlike last season it looks like this campaign will be difficult for the Cheetahs. So far, Maun has become the cash cow for the Premier League as match attendance there has been comparatively good.
This is the spirit that many Batswana should adopt, to support their league and teams. As a result this is good value for the sponsor and I just hope that branding and advertising will be as good. I appeal to the Premier League and the sponsor to stage a launch in Maun, just to say thank you to Sankoyo Bush Bucks and the residents who have been attending games in large numbers.
Butler and Masters
The reported bad blood between BFA chief executive officer, Keith Masters and national team coach, Peter Butler ought to be nipped in the bud as it is bringing football into disrepute.
This cannot be allowed to continue and I call on BFA president, Tebogo Sebego to read the riot act to the two. I expect the two Britons to be more tolerant and understanding of each other because they are compatriots. Petty jealousies will not help.
Zebras
Unlike the game against Tunisia, the Zebras played better against Senegal on Tuesday but concentration lapse was again the Achilles’ heel. In Tunisia, we lost to two set pieces, a direct free kick outside the box and a spot-kick conceded from a throw in. Against, Senegal we were guilty not only of slack marking but failure to close down spaces especially in our own zone. Both balls that led to the goals could have been dealt with better way.
Now with both Tunisia and Senegal on six points, it is a tall order for the Zebras to qualify but I must admit there seems to be some light at the end of the tunnel. I can only urge the team not to lose hope but keep fighting. It is not over until it is over.