Moments that defined 2019
Staff Writer | Friday December 20, 2019 11:30
1. Zebras coach appointed
The Botswana Football Association (BFA) moved to appoint a substantive coach for the national team, with the Belgian, Adel Amrouche getting the nod.
Amrouche took over the reigns in late August, replacing local, David Bright who was sacked in February following a poor run of form. Mogomotsi ‘Teenage’ Mpote held the seat until Amrouche’s appointment. The Belgian has not gotten off to the best start as the team lost the two-legged World Cup qualifier 1-0 to Malawi, before a goalless draw against Liberia in an Independence Day match. The barren run continued when the Zebras narrowly lost to Egypt in an international friendly, before a goalless draw against Zimbabwe was followed by a 1-0 loss to Algeria in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. This means the Zebras have not scored under Amrouche and pressure is mounting early into his reign.
2. Zebras players suspended for drinking
Soon after his appointment, Amrouche did not waste time to stamp his authority as he sidelined four players for drinking while on national team duty. The four, Mothusi Cooper, Onkabetse Makgantai, Mothusi Johnson and Thero Setsile missed the subsequent games after the Malawi assignment. Cooper was allowed back into the fold after issuing an apology. Amrouche also had stern words for players who failed to honour national team call-ups.
3. Mares stun Banyana
While the women’s team has not gotten the prominent support like their male counterparts, they had a progressive year, after stunning Africa’s second ranked team, Banyana Banyana 3-2 on penalties in an Olympic Games qualifier in September. The team’s good run was checked by perennial irritants, Zambia who knocked the Mares out of the qualifiers.
4. Athletics teams underperform in Doha
Hopes were already low when the team left for Doha for the World Athletics Championships in September, with one of the kingpins, Isaac Makwala sidelined through injury. Nijel Amos carried the nation’s hopes, but these were quickly dashed as the 800m star suffered an injury as well. Christine Botlogetswe fell in the women’s 400m heats, while Galefele Moroko progressed to the semi finals, but again injury struck and she did not finish the race. Ditiro Nzamani crashed out of the men’s 400m during the heats, while his counterpart, Leungo Scotch was eliminated in the semi finals. There was further misery for the men’s 4x400m team who was disqualified for violating button exchange rules, while the women’s team failed to take to the starting line.
5. Negative start for four Premier League teams
For the first time in the history of the Botswana Premier League, four teams, Notwane, Extension Gunners, Molepolole City Stars and Gilport Lions started the season on negative points. This was due to failure to pay players as per the requirements of the Club Licencing. City Stars and Lions lost three points while Gunners and Notwane were docked six points each.
6. Branch makes memorable Dakar debut
Ross Branch became the second local rider to take part in the gruelling Dakar Rally in South America in January. It was a memorable start for the Jwaneng born rider who finished as best placed rookie, and 13th overall. After his debut exploits, Branch will return to next January’s Dakar race, eager to make lasting impressions. The 2020 edition will move from South America to the Persian Gulf, with Saudi Arabia set to become the first Asian country to host the race outside Africa and South America.
7. Letsoaka leaves BFA
The South African left his post as the Botswana Football Association (BFA) technical director this month. He joined the BFA in 2018 on a three-year contract boasting a decorated resumé. During his tenure here, Letsoaka oversaw training of coaches and instructors.
8. Young coaches make history
Young Turks, Alex Malete and Wame ‘Pepezino’ Mokoke are the youngest coaches to sit on the bench this year. Malete became the youngest coach of a national team when he led the Mares in an Olympic qualifiers match at just 28. Mokoke also became the youngest coach in the premier league at 28 with Molepolole City Stars.
9. Volleyball appoints coach
The Botswana Volleyball Federation appointed Brazilian Coach, Augusto Jose Sabbatini for a period of three months to assist the team’s qualification process for the 2020 Olympic games. Sabbattini was Head Coach and Instructor of Morocco’s National Senior Men’s team in 2017-2018, as well as NORCECA (North, Central America and Caribbean Zone Volleyball Association), at the helm for three years. Sabbattini has also enjoyed being Head Coach for the Myanmar and Nigeria Volleyball Federations as well as the Kuwait Volleyball Team, Senior Men, Vietnam National Volleyball and Pakistan’s senior men’s team.