But this week, the Botswana Football League (BFL) announced a further week of waiting as anxiety builds.
Botswana’s football fans could easily pass as some of the most emotionally tortured.
It is not long after they endured nearly 24 months without football action, first induced by COVID-19 before administrative challenges got in the way. The entire 2020-2021 season was lost with the pandemic cited as the stumbling block.
However, as authorities attempted to re-launch the game, sponsorship issues threw spanners in the works. The 2021-2022 season has long ended but there is still no sign of teams on the field.
The expulsion of five clubs for failing to obtain licenses recently was given as the initial reason for the delayed start. But after the issue was resolved and the clubs were given a new lifeline, there was the hope of a return to play. However, after the fixtures were released and the Botswana Football League (BFL) had given assurances action will kick off on October 22, there has been another postponement.
This week there was further chaos as the BFL CEO, Solomon Ramochotlhwane resigned, just days before the season kicks off. It had been revealed the league would start without a title sponsor for the second season running.
As if this was not enough, the BFL announced the postponement of the league just two days before the start. But BFL chairperson, Nicholas Zakhem assured there will be no further delays with the season 'definitely' starting next week.
Zakhem told Mmegi Sport that there were some loose ends which needed to be tied and the resignation of Ramochotlhwane added to the logistical challenges. “There was a delay in adopting the fixtures. The referees and the venues were all ready.
However, the departure of the CEO presented certain challenges,” Zakhem said yesterday. He said the departure of the CEO could be a blessing in disguise. “The absence of sponsors cannot be blamed on the board or the chairperson. We are there to facilitate. The CEO is right behind sponsorships. He has to do the proposals and make follow-ups. We assist when the need arises,” Zakhem said.
He refused to call the current situation a crisis and assured the season will end in May as per schedule. “(It is) Not really a crisis, but there are issues.” He said there are some who would want to make it look like a crisis, but some clubs were to blame for the state of affairs.
“We have always had teams that come with negativity. Last year we managed to have teams fulfill fixtures and this year we expect the same and that everyone will abide by the rules,” Zakhem said.
Last season was rocked by allegations of improper registration of Township Rollers defender, Onkarabile Ratanang. He is not fazed by detractors and said he has made his contribution to the growth of football. “You cannot please everyone; I have learnt that in life. I am very relaxed and my conscience is clear.”
