PALAPYE: Mahalapye side, BR Highlanders have vowed to fight tooth and nail to remain in the elite league by signing three players.
They are midfielders Gorman Batsweletse and Busang Robert and a striker, Mothusi Kenosi.
The team is also on the verge of signing Orapa United midfielder, Emmanuel Thakadu. Batsweletse (35) has dusted off his boots to make a comeback from retirement, while loose ends remain in Thakadu’s signing. The former Orapa United linkman, however, is already training with his new team, BR Highlanders spokesperson, Jacob Monyeki said.
“We have signed Batsweletse whom we believe is still fit and is going to help us since he has vast experience.
“We spotted the player during the festive season while playing in festive tournaments. Kenosi is from Digodi Sports FC, a First Division team based in Gaborone,” said Monyeki.
Robert has been loaned from Notwane, but Monyeki said BR Highlanders were keen to have him on a permanent basis even though Gaborone club was reluctant.
“We are only left with paying the transfer fees. We could have paid the money on Friday but we were late.
“If it was not for that we could have been with the player at our Saturday game, “ said Monyeki in regard to Thakadu.
The team was also keen on Modipane United’s Karabo Segotlong though negotiations with either the team or the player have not yet started.
He said their low budget has forced them to sign players from lower divisions. Monyeki said the aim is to stay in the Premier League.
“This season our target is to stay in the premier league, so we are targeting teams in mid table downwards and at least a draw against the so-called big teams. With our new signings we want to make our survival possible.
“At the end of the first round of the league, we realised that we had a problem of attacking that is why we have signed attacking players. “We want to start building the team from the back going forward. We hope to achieve our goals so as to avoid relegation and then target Top 8 in the next season,” noted Monyeki.
The Mahalapye-based team won 2-1 against Satmos last Saturday at the Serowe Sports Complex.
The win would be a morale booster for BR Highlanders when they face Gaborone United (GU) on Saturday.
Their confidence was summed up by Monyeki who said the boys were ready to face GU to avenge their first round 3-0 loss.
“Our Saturday win was a sign of how well prepared we are for the second round,” he said. However, although Monyeki said all the players returned from the festive season with no injuries, they were worried their two trusted international players are yet report to the camp.
The duo, Zimbabweans Tafadzwa Mangiri and Tapiwa Nemavanga, both midfielders said they were still sorting out their personal issues and promised to return this week.
