The concerns follow last weekend’s fixtures, some of which kicked off at 3pm and 3:30pm, with coaches questioning the suitability of the playing conditions and their impact on player welfare.On October 23, FUB issued a statement calling for urgent measures to protect footballers and match officials against the prevailing high temperatures. However, matches proceeded as scheduled, prompting criticism from coaches. Orapa United interim coach, Kentse Motlhale, was particularly critical following his side’s 3-1 loss to Sua Flamingoes in the African Hero Top 8. He questioned whether those responsible for scheduling matches would subject their own children to similar conditions. “We played under extreme heat in a game against Sua, in conditions that are not suitable for anyone’s child to play under. “So I wonder if whoever took the decision would allow for their children to play under those conditions,” Motlhale said.Similarly, Jwaneng Galaxy interim coach, Seemo Mpatane, revealed how the scorching conditions forced his technical team to alter its approach during their 1-0 victory over Township Rollers in the African Hero Top 8 quarterfinal at Galaxy Stadium on Sunday.“I think the heat came into effect, especially in the first half, because we started the game at half three and the sun was blazing hot. So the way we played in the first half was different from the way we played in the second half,” Mpatane said. He explained that Galaxy deliberately adopted a possession-based approach to conserve energy rather than making frequent runs.“In the first half, the plan was to keep the ball more, to run less, to play the ball around so that they chase us,” he said. However, as temperatures became more manageable after the break, Galaxy increased their movement and attacking intensity. “In the second half, we played differently. We had more runners off the ball, more movement because it was much cooler. But in the first half, we just couldn’t do it,” Mpatane added.Meanwhile, the coaches’ concerns echo FUB’s warning that prolonged exposure to extreme heat increases the risk of dehydration, heat exhaustion and potentially life-threatening heatstroke. In its statement, signed by president Onalethata Tshekiso, the union stressed that protecting players must take precedence over fulfilling the football calendar.“Player health and safety must always take priority over football schedules,” FUB stated.Furthermore, the union proposed rescheduling selected fixtures to cooler hours, introducing cooling breaks, improving hydration and ensuring adequate medical support.“Whilst protecting the football calendar is important, no fixture is more important than a player’s health and life,” the union warned.Meanwhile, despite the concerns, four of this weekend’s eight FNB Premiership matches remain scheduled for 4pm.Saturday’s afternoon fixtures include Jwaneng Galaxy against Gaborone United, Morupule Wanderers versus Extension Gunners, and Sua Flamingoes against Nico United. Township Rollers will also host BDF XI at 4pm on Sunday.In contrast, Matebele FC and Orapa United meet at 7pm on Friday, whilst Saturday’s TAFIC versus Police XI and Prisons XI against Mochudi Centre Chiefs encounters are also scheduled for 7pm. Tonota FC and Enesia FC complete the weekend programme on Sunday evening. Consequently, the scheduling raises questions about the criteria used to determine kick-off times, particularly when half of the fixtures have been accommodated in the evening.With summer temperatures posing an ongoing concern, the BFL faces increasing pressure to explain its scheduling decisions and demonstrate how player safety is being prioritised. At press time, BFL had not responded to an enquiry sent to the stand-in chief executive officer, Idah Moinisi.Head coach: Thaloba ‘Machine’ Nthaga
