Over the years, South Africa’s Premier Soccer League has been a welcoming sanctuary for Botswana players seeking to further their careers.
But now, the numbers are not even down to a trickle; it’s now down to one man, Ditlhokwe.
Among others, Mogogi Gabonamong, Diphetogo Selolwane, Joel Mogorosi, Modiri Marumo, Dirang and Pontsho Moloi, Mogakolodi Ngele, Ofentse Nato, Jerome Ramatlhakwana, Boitumelo Mafoko, and Phenyo Mongala have been the prominent names to feature for South African sides.
Ntesang ‘Mirror’ Simanyana, Thabang Sesinyi, Galabgwe Moyana, Mosha Gaolaolwe, Thero Setsile, Ezekiel Morake, Mosha ‘Zim Dollar’ Ndlovu, Thatayaone Kgamanyane, Onkabetse Mankgantai, Simisani Mathumo, Lebogang Ditsile, Lesenya Ramorake, Mpho Kgaswane, and Kabelo Seakanyeng also had brief dances in what is regarded as Southern Africa’s premier league.
Most of the moves came on the back of a strong Zebras performance, which propelled the national team to its first ever Africa Cup of Nations finals appearance.
But it is now only in the record that during a frenzied decade, Botswana became a trusted supplier of top football talent to South Africa. The end of last season marked the closure of a special chapter for one of Botswana’s most decorated sons in the South African premiership.
Ngele finally returned home after an illustrious career, punctuated with almost every trophy on offer in the South African league.
Ngele is now at Township Rollers after leaving Chippa United last season. Ngele's return marks the end of an era as he was part of a group that can be regarded as the early journeymen on the route down south. His return leaves Ditlhokwe as the last man standing, and the first time since the late 2000s that Botswana is represented by one player in the PSL.
Lebogang Ditsile tried unsuccessfully to join Sekhukhune United, while Ndlovu recently left First Division side, Pretoria Callies over pay disputes. He is tipped to return home after two seasons in the second tier. While the South Africa route has not been kind, Morocco has partially opened with the likes of Seakanyeng, Tumisang Orebonye, and briefly, Mathumo and Mothusi Cooper finding homes. Seakanyeng is now in the United Arab Emirates, leaving Orebonye as the sole survivor.
This means Botswana has Ditlhokwe, Orebonye, and Seakanyeng, who have been joined by Gape Mohutsiwa and Sesinyi, as players abroad. Mohutsiwa recently joined Algerian side, Sportive Olympique de Chlef, while Sesinyi is due to join a team in Iran.
It is now two seasons without a Botswana player joining the South African leagues. Ndlovu was the last player to move down south when he signed with Pretoria Callies.
