BFA hits back over failed deals
Mqondisi Dube | Friday February 8, 2019 12:21
BFA marketing and public relations officer, Tumo Mpatane said the clubs should have informed the association about the late deals as it was the South African, and not the local window that closed on January 31.
Therefore, he said there was no reason for a BFA officer to stay at the office, unless if the clubs had informed the association.
The three clubs attempted to stitch up the deal just before midnight, but the new FIFA online system, Transfer Management System (TMS) rejected the transfers, which arrived after closing time. TS Galaxy owner, Tim Sukazi, speaking from South Africa yesterday, said the three clubs had done all they could to have the moves completed before deadline.
“It was an unfortunate situation. As clubs we did everything possible. All the players’ information was loaded into the TMS, SAFA (South African Football Association), was waiting for the information, but it looks like nothing came from Botswana (BFA),” Sukazi said.
He said his club had sought FIFA through SAFA, to be allowed to complete the signings, but were rejected.
Rollers president, Jagdish Shah blamed lack of communication for the failed deals.
“I am sure if the clubs had informed the BFA about the pending deals, everything was going to be fine. It is a sad story. Communication was key. The boys were going to earn handsome money in the coming five months. Thankfully, our transfer window closes later than the South African one, otherwise we could be talking a different story,” Shah said.
Gaolaolwe and Setsile are back training with their clubs, with a return to TS Galaxy for the new season still very much on. Shah said Mohutsiwa is yet to report back after the move broke down.
“Setsile started training with us on Wednesday. We have an agreement with TS Galaxy to loan the player to us for the remainder of the season.
There are no financial implications on the deal,” Jwaneng Galaxy spokesperson, Tankiso Morake said. The BFA has said its hands were clean on the matter. Mpatane said the clubs should have informed the BFA, as it was the South African, and not the local window that was closing on January 31.
“When there is any international transfer, there must be heads-up, especially when it is done late. Our (Botswana) window did not have any pressure, as it closes after theirs (South Africa).
They can do business during office hours, after hours, they should have informed the BFA,” Mpatane said, after criticism that BFA’s designated officer should have stayed up to midnight.
But Mpatane said that would have been possible if the affected parties had informed the association.
Meanwhile, Mwampule Masule is in South Africa with Premiership side, Chippa United, but without an International Transfer Certificate (ITC), which makes him ineligible to play.
“Nothing was processed regarding Masule. His ITC is still in Botswana. We do not know whom he belongs to, that is not the issue.
All we know is that there was never a transaction regarding his ITC,” Mpatane said.
Chippa United chief executive officer, Morgan Mammila, sounding agitated said everything was okay regarding Masule’s transfer. But while Mammila claimed the transfer was done, according to FIFA regulations, the player cannot feature without an ITC.