Regional countries are making a firm dip into the local market in search of national team players, a rarity not too long ago. Early footsteps can be traced back to the 1990s when Fabian Zulu, who did a gritty job for a formidable Notwane side, received a rare call-up to Zimbabwe’s Dream Team. It marked a positive, narrative-changing shift as the then Botswana Super League was hardly considered a fertile ground for national team imports. The pace of call-ups remained largely sluggish, with the region’s top talent preferring to trek to the more rewarding South African Premiership.
This left Botswana to continue to scrap for the crumbs. However, with Zimbabwe’s economy in decline, coupled with more money poured into the Botswana league, the tide shifted. The league’s worth soared in 2009 with a historic signing of a P24 million deal with telecommunications company, the Botswana Telecommunication Corporation (BTC). The first prize money for champions ballooned from a mere P120, 000 to P1 million, representing a vertiginous switch. The league was valued at P23 million per season in 2016 as quality players from the region kept pouring in, with BTC increasing its funding.
However, it was not until recently that the domestic competition contributed a significant number of national team players to countries like Eswatini, Namibia, Lesotho and Zimbabwe. Jwaneng Galaxy, with two group-stage appearances in the last three seasons, has underlined the strength of the local league, despite the lack of cash injection since the outbreak of COVID-19. However, a recent three-year P28.5 million deal signed with commercial bank, First National Bank of Botswana is expected to breathe fresh impetus and see the league regain its competitiveness. At least eight players were away on national duty within the region as the FIFA international date got underway last week.
Namibia called up four players, Irvin Kamberipa from Orapa United, Township Rollers’ Marcel Papama, Jwaneng Galaxy's Wendell Rudath and McCartney Nawaseb from Matebele. Eswatini has Jwaneng Galaxy’s Mxolisi Mkonto, while Lesotho’s Neo Mokhachane, who plays for VTM and Motlomelo Mkwananzi from BDF XI are part of Lesotho’s Likoena squad. But the call-up of the recent FIFA window has to go to mesmerising winger, Daniel Msendami from Jwaneng Galaxy. Msendami joined the domestic champions last season after a frustrating spell in his homeland, but has proved to be ‘one-man’s loss, is another’s gain’. Receiving a call-up to a star-studded Warriors side is always considered an achievement. But Msendami went a step further by putting on a virtuoso display in a game against regional giants, Zambia. “It was such an amazing experience. I didn’t expect it but when the (first) 11 was chosen, I was very happy to go there and show the world what I'm capable of,” an elated Msendami told MmegiSport.
The reception was superb as everyone was so welcoming and the coach told us to have self-belief. My performance was good but I'm looking forward to doing more than that and bringing my A-game,” he added. Recently, the Premier League has attracted and then shipped out top talent in the likes of Benson Shilongo, Terrence Mandaza and Tendai Ndoro, who made a name for themselves outside the country. Stars, Tumisang Orebonye, Thatayaone Ditlhokwe and Kabelo Seakanyeng’s exploits outside the borders represent what the local league can produce.
