Serowe, the cradle of football talent
James Kgosi | Friday June 26, 2015 12:36
The impressive form of both sides brings to four, the number of teams from the Central district that will use the Serowe stadium as their home ground. Palapye’s Motlakase Power Dynamos and BR Highlanders of Mahalapye, who complete the quartet.
It may have taken Serowe a long time to have a Premier League outfit, but the villagers have always been passionate about soccer with the pigskin being played every corner of the village.
Long before the Serowe Stadium was built, football fanatics thronged the famous Tlharesetala grounds, to watch Miscellaneous, Maphatshwa and Motherwell teams in action.
The latter, which was then regarded as more organised to challenge for the then Super League, died a natural death, leaving the two to enjoy a large following in the village.
Whenever the two teams clashed, not only were the villagers divided between Maphatshwa aka Magakabe and ‘The Reds’ as its diehard fans knew Miscellaneous there were bragging rights too.
Miscellaneous has however enjoyed more successes than their rivals. While Miscellaneous has made it to the Premier League before, Maphatshwa has struggled to break free from the Second Division curse. Although Premier League football has been the preserve of the town boys with Gaborone enjoying a lion share, Serowe, however, prides itself in producing some of the finest players who not only made their mark in the elite league, but others went on to become an integral part of the national team.
Yesteryear players like midfield kingpin, the late Mmoloki ‘Zara’ Ramanoko, who made a name for himself at BDF XI, and was part of the national team, is a product of Miscellaneous.
Former Township Roller goalkeeper, the late Otto Kabelo also donned ‘The Reds’ shirt before relocating to the city. The mid 90’s were an exciting period in the history of Serowe football.
At the time, the two Serowe giants played entertaining football, which attracted the attention of Gaborone giants. The giants jostled to play friendly games with the local sides. The 1994 Miscellaneous versus Township Rollers encounter will remain embedded in the minds of many.
Although Joseph ‘Big Joe’ Chikoti led ‘The Blues’ to an emphatic 4-1 win, it was the exploits of ‘The Red’” goal poacher Keikothae ‘Chamlek’ ”Bothoko that wound up as talk of the village.
The speedy striker gave marshaled defender Aaron ‘Route 4’ Radira, a torrid afternoon.
Chamlek was instantly rewarded and soon packed his bags and joined the team he tormented. He would later join BDF XI where he featured prominently on the pitch. A passionate football fanatic, Mmelesi Tsobetsi has followed the village football for a long time and remembers a lot of talented local players who were snatched by the giants of Botswana football.
“I remember how the likes of OG Godirwang, Aceford and Strongman, eventually left the village for greener pastures. They starred for Miscellaneous before taking their soccer skills to Gaborone.”
Tsobetsi said that Gaborone attracted many football players because the city offered many opportunities and jobs, adding that some made it into the army through their talent with the ball.
He however noted that at the time, football was a leisure activity meant for entertainment more than career.
Another football fanatic, Boniface Kgosiemang credits home teams of the time for playing a pivotal role in the development of Serowe football.
He said that his home team, Basimane Boo Rra Boiditswe based Elden brothers who he said produced some of the finest players who passed through the village soccer giants’ enroute to top flight soccer.
“The Bagoleng brothers; Thatayaone and Stokes played for Maphatshwa before going to play Premier League football.
Thatayaone played alongside the legendary Tummie Duicker at LCS Gunners, as Extension Gunners was known at the time. Maano Ditshupo did duty at the club before he played top flight football,” he said proudly.
Some memorable home teams of the 80’s and mid 90’s include Newtown based Black Aces, police officers dominated Serowe United, Prisons backed Arsenal, Ocean Swallows, Konyana Kicks, Botalaote based Phuti United, Makolo based Green Lovers, Tinto Peace Lovers and Smiling Boys.
Former national team player Khumo ’Shoes’ Mothabane was a product of Arsenal before he made his mark at Gabane based Santos.Boitumelo ‘Safehands’ Kediseng kept goals for Ocean Swallows before moving to Miscellaneous.
He would later play for GU and Santos. Township Rollers appears to be the biggest beneficiary of Serowe players with their latest acquisition being Segolame ‘The Wonder’ Boy.
Rollers cashed in on the player after condeming Serowe giants to First Division soccer in their last game of the 2013/14 season. Serowe has been benevolent and soccer fans are eager to see how debutants, Green Lovers warfare against their big brothers. In the past the game between the two was dismissed and regarded as a mismatch. The two have already met in the First Division last season. Serowe will be divided into red and green when the two clash in the local derby.