Slow start to COVID-19 hit transfer window
Mqondisi Dube | Friday January 8, 2021 15:50
Football activities were suspended in March, and only the play-offs and national team activities have been held.
The transfer window opened at the beginning of December in anticipation of a return to action in February. However, with COVID-19 cases still high, football continues to face an uncertain future. Meanwhile, Botswana Football Association (BFA) general manager, Monnakgotla Mojaki said there have been no official transfers registered with the office. “It has been a slow start. Besides, Galaxy and GU, there have been no other registered transfers. It is normally slow at the start but this year, clubs are cautious. They are not sure of the future as a result of the second wave.
We should expect a lot of changes, and it is happening the world over,” Mojaki said. Footballers Union Botswana (FUB) secretary general, Kgosana Masaseng also said there was little activity in the transfer market. “As you would know, there is uncertainty as to when the league will start as such clubs are hesitant to get into any contract. Also, clubs are afraid to commit on the basis that they would want to know the league start date, and whether there is a sponsor on not,” Masaseng said. He further said clubs have failed to shell dues to players during the COVID-19 period. Most local clubs fail to pay players regularly, with regular disputes reaching the mother body. The Botswana Premier League (BPL) gained its long awaited autonomy, although BFA president, Maclean Letshwiti admits the organ still needs hand holding. The hunt for a new chief executive officer is underway, with the recruitment expected to be complete at the start of the season in February.