The two players will face-off in a four-game duel at Yarona Country Lodge in Mogoditshane to determine who is the best. The lodge has availed P19,500 to sponsor the event. The sponsorship includes accommodation, meals, prizes and attire. The duel takes place from 15th-17th December. Speaking at the launch of the event at the lodge on Friday evening, the managing director of Yarona, Patrick Simon said that they have a social responsibility to give back to society. "Through our sponsorship, we hope to get mileage and at the same time contribute towards the development of chess in the country," he said. He added that the match-up marks the beginning of a new chapter for Botswana chess. Though Khetho is an FM, the untitled Njobvu is reputed to be Botswana's best player. The FM is confident that the mixture of youth and experience in the technical team he has assembled will help him overcome his opponent. "There is no shop that sells experience, and the fact that the most experienced player Jona Chaka is in my team is a big advantage. I will be tapping from him. I don't think that team Njobvu can come up with any move that Chaka has not seen before. I will easily win against Njobvu as I have been preparing well," a confident Khetho said on Friday.
Njobvu countered by saying that he is a man of few words and he will do all the talking on the board. "You have heard my opponent say he will win. However, I ask all of you to be present next weekend to witness the hammering of Khetho," said Njobvu. Both camps have assembled strong technical teams with the Khetho camp looking more formidable. Besides Chaka, the FM Khetho has Providence Oatlhotse (team manager), Baone Kealeboga and Lame Kolaatamo. Four of these players have played at the Olympiad and are internationally rated with the exception of Kolaatamo. Njobvu on the other hand has Kelapile Kelatlhilwe (team manager), Israel Makwati, Ivon Makabe, Keitumetse Mokgacha and Moakofi Notha. Of these five, only Notha and Mokgacha have played at the Olympiad. Speaking on behalf of his camp, Oatlhotse said that he has a well-balanced technical crew and therefore they hope for success. He added that Khetho is a technically superior player and usually in a match-up situation, the superior player wins.
