Lions' eight years without joy ends

Kabelo Boranabi | Monday September 5, 2022 06:00

NON EXISTENT: Gilport Lions will no longer be in the Botswana Football Association (BFA) structures after selling their status PIC: MORERI SEJAKGOMO

Lions, owned by Gilport Enterprises (Pty) Ltd confirmed the sale of their Debswana First Division South league status to CrackIt (Pty) Ltd which partly owns CrackIt City Polar FC.

“To that end, Gilport Lions FC will no longer be in the BFA structures whlist CrackIt City Polar FC will participate in the Debswana First Division South league starting from season 2022/2023,” a statement from Gilport Lions reads.

The communication confirmed the end of what could have been a beautiful tale to tell on the revolution of local football. Lions had become one of the first commercially run clubs in local shores after acquiring the status of BMC FC in 2014. Led by club owner and chairman, Kelesitse Gilika, the Gillies have always been at the receiving end of the cruelty of the local football landscape.

Just soon after the acquisition of BMC FC status, Lions faced a threat from former BMC executive committee members. In the situation, a group led by Sonny Phiri argued that the transfer of BMC FC to Lions was wrongful and illegal.

The group demanded the club back sparking an ownership brawl that had lasted for almost three years. On the side of the boardroom fights, Lions was struggling to source sponsors. The club’s source of income was Gilika’s back pocket and they struggled to stay afloat. Lions had struggled to pay the playing and technical staff and this led to the players boycotting training.

The situation reached rock bottom in the 2017/2018 season the team missed a number of matches due to players’ ‘strike’. The on-field issues did not do the club any favours as they were relegated.

However, they made a quick return after a year in the dusty grounds. On their retrun, Lions had always teased around the relegation zone and had a number of lucky escapes until their ‘demise’.

The Gillies had, however, shown an eye for talent as due to their slim pockets the club resorted to recruit raw talent from younger players.

New Township Rollers’ full back, Lone Taele, former BDF XI Serati Semadi and Gaborone United’s midfielder Lebogang Ditsele became household names during their time at the Lion’s den. As per the statement by Gilika, Gilport Enterprises is taking a sabbatical break from the game as the management has surrendered to the harsh nature of commercially run football club.