First Division games on despite impasse
Koketso Kgoboge | Friday February 2, 2018 14:30
As a result of the payment impasse, last weekend’s matches did not proceed as planned. But FDN secretary Rapula Gaotlhobogwe said after last weekend’s incident, they wrote to the Botswana Football Association (BFA) in a bid to address the challenge.
“We have requested for the report and for action to be taken against whoever caused the problem,” Gaotlhobogwe said.
He said while they still wait to be furnished with the report, the league will get back to business. “We have been given the green light to continue with the games. We spoke to the referee’s manager at the BFA and she has confirmed to us that referees will be available this weekend.”
Some fixtures were called off at the last minute last weekend because referees did not show up. The few matches that proceeded had to make to with randomly picked individuals from the fans who had come to watch the games.
The problem was as a result of confusion over who was responsible for the referees’ assessors payments.
FDN said they had no budget for the assessors and it was not their responsibility. The chairman of the referees association said they had made FDN aware that league committee should pay.
Referees were paid while assessors were not, and as a result the referees’ were not assigned matches. Fans should look forward to interesting battles, with Motlakase Power Dynamos at home to Morupule Wanderers at Palapye Swallows, in the Palapye derby.
While Motlakase fell victim to the referees’ non-availability, Wanderers played their opening fixture that ended in a stalemate against Mahalapye United Hotspurs.
Motlakase are second on the log table and Wanderers are third. The two sides’ last meeting in Pilikwe ended in a 1-1 draw. Wanderers’ last visit to Palapye Swallows was sour as they fell 3-1 to Motlakase.
Despite their financial muscle over their cross town rivals, Wanderers are yet to get the better of Motlakase. Motlakase has lost key players and Wanderers have benefited from Chouka’s loss.
Chouka’s former key man Kealeboga Oitsile is set to appear in the colours of Basimane Ba Magala against his former side.
Another interesting fixture will be played in Selebi-Phikwe where Nico United play Sua Flamingoes. Their last meeting ended in a draw in Sowa Town.
A rebuilding Majombolo have endured a trying time in the first round of the league, but towards the end their combinations were gelling and were finding their groove. Majombolo come face to face with their former marksman Christopher Musonda. Majombolo brought Musonda to the country while they were still in the elite league before the Zambian joined Jwaneng Galaxy.
Flamingoes look scary on paper but they have, for the past two seasons, failed to reach their best.
Log leaders, BR Highlanders look to increase their lead at the top against punching bags Maphatshwa in Serowe. Great North Tigers welcome Real Movers, Green Lovers play Calendar Stars in Serowe and Mahalapye United Hotspurs are up against Francistown City Greens in Mahalapye. All matches will be played on Saturday and kick off at 4pm.