Chobe will not back down on protest
Koketso Kgoboge | Tuesday August 8, 2017 15:04
Chobe were confirmed relegated to Division One after they lost 2-1 to Great North Tigers (GNT) in a play-off decider. But Chobe played the game under protest but lost after the initial case to the National Disciplinary Committee.
The legal and compliance officer at Botswana Football Association (BFA), Tumisang Hule has confirmed the appeal. “We have received Chobe United’s appeal on their game against Morupule Wanderers that was played in Pilikwe. The appeal was conveyed last week Thursday and the issue is before the National Disciplinary Committee. We hope the hearing will be held before the end of this week,” Hule said.
Chobe’s chairperson, Bogosing Bogosing said the First Division Committee did not give their case deserving consideration. He said they will “resist being thrown out” of the First Division.
Chobe had finished on position six on the log ahead of Real Movers on position seven, Wanderers and GNT on eight and nine respectively.
“We want clarity,” he said. “We don’t see how number six can be pulled below number seven and eight to play the playoffs against a number 10 side. What about the clubs in between us and GNT?” he queried.
Bogosing said Wanderers had soft points from the fixture in question as it did not conclude in the stipulated 90 minutes and thus Wanderers were the side that should have played the playoffs.
“If Wanderers won their game against us as the First Division committee concludes, then they have the soft points because the game was not concluded. They are a position above GNT and they should be playing that decider not us.”
He said the issue has affected their relations with potential sponsors who had pledged to assist the club in their second season in the First Division.
“We can’t even explain to potential partners our situation because they come to us with hearsay that we have been relegated yet we told them we finished in a descent position (six) when the league concluded. We see this as a ploy to kick us out of the First Division.”
Bogosing said despite the unresolved issues, they are preparing the squad for another season in the First Division.