Match-fixing allegations abound

MQONDISI DUBE
Staff Writer | Tuesday May 18, 2010 00:00

Although Botswana Premier League general manager, Phuthego Setete said his office has not received any reports of match fixing, some clubs have allegedly been involved in the illegal practice.

The Saturday match between Nico United and Motlakase is at the centre of match fixing allegations. Sources said the match, which Motlakase won 2-1, had been fixed for a fee of P8,000.

Motlakase is fighting relegation while Nico's Premier League status is already secure. However, both clubs and the Premier League office denied reports of match fixing. Motlakase chairman, Mangisi Segadimo was quick to reject the claims.

'Who are these people (who claim the match was fixed)? May be such people do not believe that Motlakase could beat Nico. It was a tense game. They should come up with concrete evidence (that the match was fixed),' Segadimo said. Nico spokesperson, Patrick Gaofetoge, confirmed that he heard of allegations of match-fixing but denied that his team deliberately threw away the match.

'That's speculation. There is no proof that the match was fixed,' Gaofetoge said. He said it is natural that match fixing allegation surface at this time of the season. Gaofetoge said his team has not been performing well lately and that they missed their key striker, Tendai Ndoro in their match against Motlakase.

Yesterday, Setete said he had not received any complaints of match fixing concerning the Nico versus Motlakase game played in Selebi-Phikwe.