BMC case to be heard today
Boitumelo Khutsafalo | Friday October 11, 2013 16:41
Phiri and other members were dealt a heavy blow last weekend when the Botswana Football association (BFA) lifted a suspension of the team and announced that the club belongs to the Social Welfare club of the company. This was after they received fresh evidence from the Ministry of Labour and Home Affairs.
However, the Phiri group did not take the decision lying down.
Though the Botswana Football Association (BFA) announced last weekend that the year-long suspension of BMC has been lifted, the club is not likely to play in the be MOBILE Premier League this weekend. By yesterday, BMC had not been fixtured for this weekend's Premier League action. In the original fixtures released before the suspension, BMC was scheduled to play against BDF XI this weekend.
Botswana Premier League (BPL) chief executive officer, Bennett Mamelodi has said he has not been directed to do anything about BMC after the lifting of the suspension. BPL chairperson, Mokganedi Molefe referred Mmegi Sport to BFA president, Tebogo Sebego who said he was surprised that the Premier League is unaware of the latest developments. Sebego told Mmegi Sport that it could just be an administrative delay as far as including BMC in the BFA activities is concerned. 'We have taken a decision and it has been made public. It could just be an administrative delay,' he said.
He defended BFA after reports that one of the parties fighting for the ownership of BMC has accused the association of meddling in the club's affairs.
He said the decision as to who the club belongs to was made by the Registrar of Societies and not the association. The lawyers representing a rival group in the BMC saga are said to have written to the BFA expressing their displeasure over what they call interference.
Meanwhile, at the New Lobatse Stadium, Gaborone United (GU) and Notwane go head-to-head tonight seeking to revive their flagging fortunes in the be MOBILE Premier League. Notwane have lost their last two matches while GU have drawn twice in a row in their latest assignments.
After a relatively good start, Notwane met a wounded Township Rollers and received a 4-0 thrashing before falling 1-0 to rampant defending champions Mochudi Centre Chiefs. GU on the other hand did not play last weekend after their date with Nico United was called off due to bad lighting at Selebi-Phikwe Stadium. Before the Nico match, GU had played to a 1-1 draw against Miscellaneous and drew 2-2 with Motlakase Power Dynamos.
Although GU and Notwane have set themselves different targets for the season, anything less than a win tonight is likely to put each side in a difficult position to achieve their objectives. GU are touted as one of the favourites to win the league, while Notwane have vowed to finish in the top eight bracket. Notwane have roped in Simon Ngomane as the new coach following a string of loses.
The South African arrived in the country this week and was spotted at a training session on Wednesday.
Toronto was initially interested in another South African coach, Shakes Ngwenya who still has a contract with the South African Football Association (SAFA). Kaizer Kobedi who has been at the helm since the beginning of the season is expected to be the assistant to Ngomane.
With influential South African striker, Manqoba Ngwenya ready to return to action for Notwane tonight, it will be interesting to see who the technical team opts to start with upfront. Emmanuel Masisi and Pako Moloi were the twin strikers in the match against Chiefs and fired blanks though they posed a constant threat. Moloi will have a point to prove against GU who decided to release him at the end of last season. GU have plenty of choices upfront with Makundika Sakala, Ronald Chikomo and Tebogo Sembowa all capable of providing goals.
In another interesting match tonight, Wonder Sporting will take on Orapa United at Molepolole Sports Complex. Both sides are new in the elite league and have had contrasting fortunes since their arrival.
While Wonder Sporting struggled in their first four matches, Orapa United have surprised many with their performance. United have won three of the four matches they have played so far. Wonder have won one and drawn one.
Tomorrow, high riding FC Satmos will be away to struggling Extension Gunners at New Lobatse Stadium while Miscellaneous host Uniao Flamengo Santos at Palapye Swallows Ground. Chiefs take on Motlakase in Molepolole. On Sunday, Rollers host Nico United at SSKB Stadium. In Francistown, ECCO play TAFIC. All the games start at 4:00 pm except tonight's fixtures.