Razor hits out over midweek fixtures
Koketso Kgoboge | Friday November 1, 2019 11:09
He said unlike in the south where most of the clubs are from Gaborone and the surroundings, teams from the north are miles apart and it involves travelling long distances for matches that supporters can only afford during weekends.
“There are so many negatives with midweek fixtures. It kills competition and it makes selling the games not possible due to distances. Whom do we sell the games to when we play at a time when people are at work?” Tsatsilebe quizzed.
His side’s credentials face instant test against Sankoyo Bush Bucks in Maun after they pipped Nico United to the top spot midweek.
Flamingoes won 2-1 against Majombolo in Sowa Town. Tsatsilebe also complained they would not have time to prepare for an important fixture against Sankoyo having played a tough top of the table fixture on Wednesday.
“Thursday it’s recovery, on Friday we are travelling and on Saturday we will be playing in Maun. We don’t even have time to prepare,” he said yesterday.
Meanwhile, Tsatsilebe said the win over Nico was crucial as it boosted their chance for automatic promotion.
“We are settled, we understand each other and the combinations are finally gelling. We have got no pressure, the boys are enjoying the game and we are ready to fight in each match. It’s the only way we can achieve our target of promotion.”
Flamingoes meet a Sankoyo side that has been blowing hot and cold, since they re-joined the First Division at the end of their Premier League romance last season.
Sankoyo chairperson, Sekai Morotsi also complained about midweek fixtures. He said the difference of midweek fixtures in the lower league as compared to Premiership is professionalism.
“We had the whole squad as our employees in the Premiership.
Now we play with students and others who are employed by other companies. If they don’t release them then we are in trouble. That is why we are not consistent. We are struggling to get players, but we are doing the best we can,” he said.
“We are not pressed for time to play midweek. We can play and finish the league on time; I don’t know what is so compelling for us to put so much pressure on ourselves.”
In other games, second-placed Majombolo would look to bounce back when they welcome Maun Tigers. Struggling Francistown City Greens host Green Lovers.
Motlakase will be up against Great North Tigers. Eleven Angels face Calendar Stars in a Francistown derby and Santa Green host Tonota FC in a battle of the rookies.