Last week reports emerged that the football administrator had returned to Lekidi as a project manager. However, the BFA CEO Mfolo Mfolo has denied that Phuthego has made a return. “I am aware of reports that Phuthego has returned to the association but I can confirm to you that he is not here. He is not under the employ of the association,” Mfolo told Mmegi Sport. Others have speculated that talks between Phuthego and the association over his return are at an advanced stage. Mfolo would not deny nor confirm that there are ongoing talks between the association and Phuthego over a possible return. “I also cannot rule out the possibility that he can return to the association.
The BFA will announce staffing issues if there are any,” Mfolo said. There have also been questions as to whether Phuthego is fit to serve in the structures of the BFA after he was suspended from the game last year along with two Township Rollers officials. The three men were suspended after allegedly playing a role in the improper registration of Rollers defender Onkarabile Ratanang. Rollers officials were later cleared and the club escaped with a fine. Mfolo said Phuthego was pardoned by the National Executive Committee (NEC) following his transgressions. “He asked for clemency from the NEC and his application was affirmed,” Mfolo said.
Phuthego’s suspension was widely disputed by many who said that it was without basis because it happened long after he left the association as head of competitions. The suspension was seen as a well-calculated move by the BFA president Maclean Letshwiti to purge those who were increasingly becoming hostile to his reign. Then, Phuthego was seen as leading a crusade to dethrone Letshwiti. Sources said Letshwiti, who is in his second term as BFA president and Phutego, are now warming up towards each other. There are reports Letshwiti wants to contest for a third term and he sees Phuthego as a key component in his campaign team. Phuthego assertively campaigned for Letshwiti in all the two terms he has won. He is seen as someone who resonates well with grassroots structures. Phuthego was unavailable for comment despite repeated efforts to reach him.
