Perseverance pays off for Systems

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In 1987, a group of men in Tswapong met and decided to form a social soccer team. That team was to be called Young Man States. Fourteen years later, Young Man who had moved to Gaborone affiliated to the Gaborone Regional Football Association and started competing in the lower league.

By 2002 they had established themselves as a big force and changed their name to Security Systems since the majority of the management and players were from the security company.Two years later, former Gaborone United (GU) utility player, Kaelo Wire Kaelo was appointed coach and his first casualties were his former team as the minnows bundled out the Gaborone giants from the Coca-Cola Cup competition. Kaelo went on to get the better of Madinda Ndlovu as Systems kicked out another Premier League side, Nico United from the prestigious competition before losing to eventual winners, BMC. It was such achievements, which perhaps motivated the club to aim higher. But with new targets came new challenges and Kaelo and the rest of the club suffered frustrating spells as the team won back-to-back league competitions, but promotion to the First Division remained elusive as the team always found the going tough in the promotional play-offs. They were not to be deterred, however. In 2010 after finishing second behind Modipane United in the promotional play-off games held in Kang, Systems finally beat their demons and clinched promotion to the First Division.

Few gave them a chance in a league that had three former Premier League sides, Jwaneng Comets, Prisons XI and Black Peril. But those who had reservations could not help, but admire as the newcomers posted positive results almost immediately. They manage to hold on to position three for the majority period of the campaign before a late dash handed them second spot and in sight of leaders, Prisons XI. Fatigue at then second placed Mochudi Buffaloes and Prisons XI, handed Systems the opportunity to advance to the peak. Two weeks before the end of the season, Systems had managed to match leaders, Prisons XI on 45 points ensuring that the league would go down to the wire.

Editor's Comment
Women unite for progress

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