VTM’s stay comes to an abrupt end
Kabelo Boranabi | Saturday June 29, 2024 06:00
Club owner and president, Vincent Mafuta, made the shocking announcement on Thursday morning. Mafuta told a media briefing that the seven-year-old club would not compete in the Premier League in the next season as they would no longer run as a professional club. He further said VTM will be looking to sell the Premier League status and they are actively looking for suitable buyers. "The current atmosphere and dynamics of local football have forced us to a harsh realisation that our project is not sustainable at least not now, to run a successful Premier League club. You need resources. Unfortunately, only a few clubs can afford it," he said.
It has been a meteoric rise for Botswana Premier League's (BPL) youngest club. Formed in 2017, VTM acquired Mmakgosi's status in the fourth tier of local football. VTM FC rose through the ranks and missed promotion to the second tier in the 2018-2019 season and waited until 2021 to play in the First Division South League. In the 2022-2023 season, the team won the promotional playoffs and moved to the top tier after just five seasons of playing competitive football. The team has played in a single BPL season and finished a commendable sixth. Botswana Football League (BFL) chief executive officer, Bennett Mamelodi said it would be a sad day if VTM is no longer part of the league. "If it is true it would be a sad day for the BPL to lose one of our most enterprising and colorful Clubs that brought entertainment and flavor at the VTM Arena. The issue of the status shall only arise once formal communication is received," he said, responding to what will happen to VTM's spot in the league.
"The BPL will be bigger and better next season. The FNB Premiership will be epic. With patience, we shall assist clubs to be able to save their income and even generate more. We will fight with everything we have to ensure that clubs live within their means and league participation becomes sustainable. I know my brother Vincent Mafuta loves his team. We stand ready to engage him further, assuming the contemplation of throwing in the towel, has not arise," he added.