Chronicle Editor
Fungai Muderere, Senior Sports Reporter
WHEN it all looked all rosy in Botswana for ex-Highlanders technical manager Mandla “Lulu” Mpofu, who recently told our sister paper B-Metro that he was happily acclimatising to life in Zimbabwe’s neighbouring country, we reveal that his situation now resembles that of the Israelites in the wilderness after they left Egypt for the Promised Land, Cannan.
It has turned out that Mpofu’s journey to Gaborone has brought about unforeseen and unfortunate developments, amid revelations that his new paymasters Masitaoka Football Club are one of the five top league sides that have been relegated to the lower division after failing to meet FIFA club licensing requirements.
Indeed, Gaborone has not become real Canaan for Mpofu, a CAF coaching licence holder, who joined Masitaoka in mid-August on a one-year contract.
We gathered yesterday that Masitaoka together with Morupule Wanderers, Extension Gunners, Mogoditshane Fighters and newly promoted Eleven Angels have been informed of the decision taken by the Botswana Football Association (BFA).
While spirited efforts to get a comment from the Masitaoka camp drew a blank, the BFA Club Licensing Appeals Body (AB) has reportedly dismissed the five clubs’ appeals.
A letter dated 30 August 2022 from BFA club licensing manager Olebile Ntsodi Matlapeng-Sikwane addressed to Extension Gunners secretary-general and copied to the Botswana Football League that is in possession of Chronicle Sport reads:
“The BFA Club Licensing Appeals Body (AB) convened on the 29th of August to consider your grounds of appeal subsequent to your unsuccessful application for the 2022/2023 season. By this communication, we wish to inform you that the Appeals Body (AB) has made a consensus decision that Extension Gunners FC is non-complaint to the Club Licensing requirements as stated on the letter of the FIB erred in taking decision to refuse or deny the club licence.
“Accordingly, the appeal is dismissed and the decision by the FIB to deny Extension Gunners the licence is confirmed. We further wish to remind you that as per the Club Licensing Sanctions which is an addendum to the BFA Club Licensing Regulations, Clubs that are denied a licence will be relegated to the lowest BFA structure.”
Mpofu parted ways with Bosso in mid-May. He left the club in position 13 and with 16 points. He departed two days after the Bulawayo giants’ home encounter against Dynamos was abandoned after crowd trouble.
He was one of the candidates shortlisted by free-spending Ngezi Platinum Stars to be their dugout boss only for him to surface across the Ramokgwabana Border Post.
The gaffer left the club along with his assistant Bekithemba Ndlovu while Joel Luphahla, who joined the side in March, survived the chop.
Mpofu had taken over the reins last year from Mark Harrison and signed a performance-based contract. He had served as the first assistant coach in the senior team before the promotion.
It seemed he had not looked so long and so regretfully upon the closed door before he saw the one which opened for him with so much joy.
Formed in 1962 and officially registered in 1968, Masitaoka FC is one of the oldest clubs in Botswana. Named after the Bakwena Tribe regiment, Masitaoka of 1906, it was eventually nicknamed ‘Majatlhaga’ or ‘Up The Blues’, because of the colour of the playing kit they wear.
The club was originally based in Molepolole but moved to Gaborone. They play their home games at Molepolole Sports Complex. Their home colour is blue, away is white and yellow is their alternative choice.
On 10 August, the club announced the appointment of Shagwa Mogwe as their new fitness trainer for the upcoming season. Just like Mpofu, Mogwe joined the club on a one-year contract. -@FungaiMuderere
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