Mascom sweetens Top 8 pot
Boitumelo Khutsafalo | Friday November 3, 2017 10:59
The seventh edition of the tournament will kick off on November 24 with a potentially exciting match between Mochudi Centre Chiefs and defending champions, Jwaneng Galaxy at the Molepolole Sports Complex.
The tournament, which kicked off in 2012 has seen five different winners with Gaborone United (GU) still holding the record of most wins in the tournament. They have won it twice while Township Rollers, BDF XI, Orapa United and Galaxy won it once each.
Speaking at the launch of this season’s edition, Couceiro said he was proud that the tournament has grown over the years and has produced some of the country’s stars.
“In this edition, Security Systems will be participating for the first time. It is clear that we have a trend here where new comers have been winning in their first appearance. We are waiting to see if Security Systems will do the same,” he said.
He said the prize for the runners up will remain at P550,000 while the semi finalists each get P300,000. Losers in the quarterfinals will each take P170,000. Botswana Premier League (BPL) acting CEO, Thabo Ntshinogang said they have decided to use the same format as in other editions where the league winners get the team that finished at position eight in the previous season.
“About 70% of the teams in this year’s tournament are currently in the top eight bracket in the current log standings. Only three teams are currently outside that bracket and this gives me hope that the tournament will be competitive,” he said.
BDF XI will take on Rollers at the National Stadium on November 25 before Security Systems host Orapa United in Lobatse. On Monday that week, GU will play Extension Gunners. The second leg of the quarterfinals will be held on the weekend of December 8 while the semi finals are scheduled for January 26 to 28. Giving a keynote address, permanent secretary to Ministry of Transport and Communications, Kabelo Ebineng applauded Mascom Wireless for investing millions in the tournament, which has played a role in developing local football.
He said when Mascom announced the sponsorship in 2012 they had a vision to ensure that the tournament becomes a pinnacle of Botswana football. He said by the look of things, the tournament has achieved its objective.