The two clubs have been negotiating for some time after Young Stars gained promotion to the elite league last season. Although Young Stars chairperson, Banyatsi Gaedie, could not reveal names of potential buyers for their status last week, he did confirm that talks with one club were progressing well. It has since emerged that the Peleng giants, Gunners, have succeeded in their negotiations and will return to the Premier League in the coming season if the Botswana Football Association (BFA) national executive committee (NEC) approves the deal. Both the South Eastern Regional Football Association (SERFA) and (Southern Region Football Association (SOFA) have given the deal the green light and have since notified the mother body.
Speaking to MmegiSport yesterday, BFA CEO, Mfolo Mfolo, confirmed that his office has received documentation about the swap deal, which will see Young Stars take Gunners' spot and return to the Debswana First Division South League. “Yes, we have received all the documentation from our regions being SERFA and SOFA representing the two teams under their membership. Following our Play Rules and Regulations Article 20, the matter will be placed before the NEC next week for a decision,” Mfolo confirmed. If approved, Gunners will have spent just one season in the lower division.
