Mochudi Centre Chiefs and Township Rollers are likely to be the most affected by the international tournaments. Chiefs have five players - Gobonyeone Selefa, Stanley Tsolope, Boniface Makolo, Elijah Phiriepa and Noah Maposa in the junior team. In the Zebras, Chiefs have Pontsho Moloi and Jerome Ramatlhakwana.
Rollers have Onalethata Tshekiso, Boitumelo Mafoko and Barolong Lemmenyane in the Zebras' camp while Kaone Molefe, Gabriel Bokhutlo and Lesego Molemogi are with the Young Zebras. Rollers might still lose Joel Mogorosi to the national team. Other clubs like Notwane only have two players in the senior team - Jona Kwape and Barnes Radipotsane while it is understood that their youngsters in the Under-23 might not make the cut.
It is understood that both Rollers and Chiefs have lodged a complaint with the Botswana Football Association (BFA) over the release of players. Chiefs have reportedly made it clear to the BFA that they can only release Moloi and Ramatlhakwana for the Tanzania tourney after the charity cup.
BFA publicity officer Ishamel Mooki told Mmegi Sport yesterday that the two tournaments might compromise the quality of the Kabelano Charity Cup. "We're still negotiating with the clubs and hopefully an agreement will be reached. Let me make it clear that we've not heard anything from the organisers of the Tanzania tournament and this means that the trip might not materialise. As for the Under-23, plans are underway for players to come back for Kabelano and return to South Africa the following day," he said. Mooki pointed out that it was not their intention to cause chaos.
Notwane spokesman James Mooki said that they have not discussed the issue. But he explained that the absence of some of their key players might affect their performance. "We'll go on and play in the Kabelano since we've made a commitment. Maybe the absence of some players will be a chance for others to prove their mettle," said Mooki.
"We don't want to be seen to be fighting the association but it should be taken into consideration that supporters want to come and see quality football," said Chiefs' publicity officer Clifford Mogomotsi. He said that the one-day event in Gaborone should be a chance for the national coaches to cast their net wide and use players who have not featured at a higher level.
"The problem in Botswana is that there is no plan B. Recently, when South Africa played in the COSAFA Castle Cup, players from Ajax Cape Town and Mamelodi Sundowns were excluded," said Mogomotsi.
Kabelano Trust's chairman, Terrence Dambe said they are aware that some teams might lose players who will be involved in international assignments.
"Chiefs have told us that they've resolved the issue. Obviously, we wouldn't want the quality of football to be compromised and if there's a need, we would sit down with BFA and club and come up with a solution," said Dambe.
