Controversy surrounds cancelled Tonota, Tigers tie

CALISTUS KOLANTSHO
Correspondent | Wednesday October 19, 2011 00:00

First Division North secretary, Moraole Sikwane said it was not clear why the game was not played as scheduled.Sikwane said Tonota FC management informed him that they reached an agreement with Tigers to play the game at 6pm instead of the 3pm kick-off, which he did not object to.

'As the day progressed, Tonota FC phoned me again to inform me that they had a breakdown along the way to Maun and I advised them to make sure that they arrive in Maun on time. I was surprised when Tigers informed me that they never had an agreement with Tonota FC to have the game played at 6pm,' he said.

Tigers' coach, Ofentse Mapeo said Tonota FC arrived at the Maun Stadium at 7pm when the game was supposed to start at 3pm. 'We communicated with Tonota FC chairperson, but he could not tell us where the team was. He was only requesting that the game should be played on Sunday morning. Even the match officials were not aware of what was happening,' he said. Mapeo said by the time Tonota FC arrived at the stadium, it was dark because there were no arrangements to switch on the floodlights.Mapeo also added that they tried to cooperate with Tonota FC with no luck.

Tonota FC chairperson, Maokaneng Bontshetse claim they sent an e-mail to Sikwane requesting that their game be moved to 7pm because they did not have money to sleep in Maun for two days. He stated that they suggested that they leave for Maun on Saturday morning.Bontshetse said Sikwane agreed to the proposal. 'We were shocked to find the stadium empty when we arrived,' he said.

First Division North chairperson, Eatlametse Olopeng has expressed disappointment at what had happen. 'We must sit down and find out what happened. A hearing is still to be held and Tonota FC will have to explain why they arrived late for the game. Any alterations to the fixtures should be done by the committee, not teams,' said Olopeng. He said action would be taken against the guilty party.