In a relatively quiet January transfer window, the Elias saga had ignited interest with a bidding war between Rollers and Galaxy. The transfer window closes today.
Reports emerged last evening that Rollers had acted swifter than Galaxy to win the race. It was a bit of a déjà vu from last January, as the player has been AWOL from the team and had handed in a transfer request.
The player had been a subject of interest from both Rollers and Galaxy with negotiations said to have been going on for a large part of January. Popa are said to have wanted the player on a swoop deal that includes Rollers’ speedy forward, Tlhalefo Molebatsi. The Ostriches are, however, reportedly not keen on Molebatsi and demanded a P300,000 transfer fee.
United’s nemesis, Galaxy moved in to hijack the deal from Rollers’ jaws. Galaxy are said to have included former Under-20 captain, Resaobaka Thatanyane in the deal. Before the deal was sealed yesterday, Galaxy public relations officer, Tankiso Morake confirmed their pursuit. “We have written to Orapa, as per the procedures and channels in a matter like this. We will not keep it a secret that we have written to Orapa and shown interest in the player. But Orapa has not written back to us.
We are just waiting for their response, as things stand there is nothing we can say about the player. As for Resaobaka, he has handed in a request that he wants a new opportunity and the club is handling that issue at the moment,” Galaxy’s public relations officer, Tankiso Morake said. It was reported that the Orapa United management was divided over Elias’ transfer decision.
Sources said some members wanted the club to cash in while others felt they could not keep an unhappy player, urging the club to demand a lesser transfer fee. Elias joined the Ostriches from TAFIC in 2019 for a fee rumoured to be around P70,000. TAFIC is reportedly entitled to 25% of the player’s sale to a local team and five percent if he goes abroad. “There is a team (within Orapa United) that is handling the transfer issues and I have not got anything from them at the moment. But he has shown that wants to leave and Orapa United will not stand in any player’s way if they feel they have found green pastures. We have received letters from Galaxy and Rollers.
Anything can happen; he might move or stay with us. We are working on his matter,” United’s public relations officer, Amelton Gaelefhele said yesterday, before the late dramatic twist to the saga. Elias did not travelled with United’s squad to Lobatse where the Ostriches will take on BDF XI at the Lobatse Sports Complex tomorrow afternoon. Rollers will, meanwhile, face bottom-placed Holy Ghost at the National Stadium while Police XI welcome Nico United at the Otse Stadium.
Mogoditshane Fighters and Eleven Angels battle it out at the Molepolole Sports Complex as Morupule Wanderers travel to Jwaneng to take on Galaxy. Log leaders, Gaborone United will be at the National Stadium against Security Systems, while Masitaoka welcome Prisons XI at the Molepolole Sports Complex. The Lobatse Sports Complex will host a tie between Extension Gunners and Sua Flamingoes. The matches kick off at 4pm except for the televised games that start at 3:30pm.
