Orapa teams pin hopes on 'umbrella'

MOSAH MOKGANEDI
Correspondent | Friday March 2, 2012 00:00

Boteti Young Fighters, Orapa Wanderers, Orapa Bucks and Orapa Swallows came together to form Orapa United.However, White Diamonds pulled out of the merger at the last minute. The process started last June, and was formalised in January.  Orapa United took Wanderers' position while Boteti's franchise was sold to Senete based Two-Two-Five. Nkape said merging the four teams was not an easy decision.

They had to do it for the benefit of Orapa fans, he explained.  The four teams had different cultures and becoming one entity meant they had to sacrifice their identities.  He said as individual teams, they faced financial problems because there were expecting assistance from the same source. Nkape said it was always difficult for Orapa teams to make it to the premier league, and those which gained promotion to top flight soccer did not survive long.

The clubs faced shortage of personnel as some mine workers were retrenched from Orapa mine. Nkape said they hope that their new baby will live up to their expectations.  First Division North chairperson, Eatametse Olopeng said the Orapa sides took a commendable step.  He hopes that the merger would bring the desired results, despite leaving gaps which need to be filled. Olopeng said teams registered with the Botswana Football Association (BFA) are free to submit applications to fill the positions.