Police, Systems demotion will spark major shake-up

BOITUMELO KHUTSAFALO
Staff Writer | Friday August 17, 2012 00:00

 

Their affiliation to the Botswana Football Association (BFA) is now at the mercy of the national executive committee (NEC). Failure to pay a mere P250 annual fee with the South East Regional Football has now landed the two sides in serious trouble. The maximum punishment is termination of affiliation, which means the two sides would have to re-apply for admission to the BFA, but will have to start at Division Four even if they succeed in their bid. Police XI have already accepted blame for the mess and have written an apology to the association asking for remission.

Notwane are set to be the one of the beneficiaries in this case, returning to the elite league without having kicked a ball at the lower division. The two slots left by Police XI and Security Systems mean that the next two 'better' teams that should fill those voids are Notwane, who finished 14th on the log in the Premier League as well as Mahalapye side, BR Highlanders, according NEC member, Charles Chilisa who oversees the regions. Highlanders lost to Prisons XI in the Promotional Play-offs. Both Notwane and BR Highlanders' promotion also means they leave holes in the First Division South and North respectively. Chilisa told Mmegi Sport that Notwane's void will now be filled through a Play-off between the team that finished 12th in the First Division South, in this case, Mathaithai and the team that finished third in the First Division South promotional Play-offs.

In the Northern Division, Maun Tigers who return to the league, might do so without playing any Play-offs since their situation was forced by the fact two sides from the north were relegated from the Premier League. Tigers finished 10th on the log standings but were forced to partner Tonota FC and Two Two Five to the lower division because of Great North Tigers (GNT) and FC Satmos relegation.

The slot left by Prisons XI when they won the Play-offs against BR Highlanders has been filled by Young Strikers who had finished the league in 11th position. Wonder Sporting and Gantsi Terrors are the other two sides that got promotion to the First Division South League after finishing first and second in the Play-offs.