Who will succeed Mfolo?
Possible names lined- up as search begins for next BFA CEO
Newly re- elected Botswana Football Association ( BFA) President MacLean Letshwiti has effectively been given keys to the Lekidi kingdom for at least another half a decade. After convincingly beating his rivals in the historic BFA Ordinary General Assembly this past weekend… sweeping changes are expected at Lekidi and heads are expected to roll.
It has been an open secret that Letshwiti, a staunch corporate governance enthusiast has been having his misgivings with the BFA secretariat. As things stand, it certainly seems that the transformation of Botswana Football will not take place at the Botswana Premier League only but the rest of the organisation. Given a clean slate for the next four years those close to the BFA are adamant that Letshwiti will instil his corporate governance ethos in the BFA. There will be no hiding place for the incompetent and the complacent as they will be smoked out.
With less than a week after his victory those in the know are already speculating that the BFA National Executive Committee is planning to revamp and drastically change the secretariat starting with the Chief Executive Officer or Secretary General’s office currently occupied by Mfolo Mfolo. The current BFA CEO is believed to have strong academic credentials that have seen him survive where most of his predecessors have drowned after successfully having his contract extended by the Association last year. Nevertheless, Mfolo has hardly shown charisma, finesse and creativity in this influential position. Mfolo, who was seconded from the Ministry of Tertiary Education, has hardly built the association around himself. Recently Secretary General’s office is believed to have attracted criticism from as far as UEFA, regarding governance at Lekidi.
This week a number of familiar names are already being tossed around as Mfolo’s possible successors when his contract expires possibly in September next year. One of the most surprising candidates for the position is former President of the BFA who also went on to become Assistant Minister of Sports, Phillip Makgalemele. The former Shoshong legislator is believed to be eyeing the plump post should Mfolo not stay put.
Furthermore, Letshwiti’s eye for the best talent and passion for corporate governance is said to have led him to the current CEO of Botswana National Olympic Committee ( BNOC), Tuelo Serufho. Serufho is a gifted executive and he is currently doubling as acting CEO at the Botswana National Sports Commission ( BNSC). Nevertheless, sources close to the matter insist that Serufho has limited experience and knowledge when it comes to football administration. It remains to be seen if the BFA could wrestle Serufho away from the lucrative BNOC position.
The other big business brains linked to the
influential post is former BNSC CEO Percy Raditladi. Despite having no experience as a football administrator, Raditladi has served as CEO of the BNSC and his achievements in the business world speaks volumes. As a well- connected and experienced entrepreneur, Raditladi is reported to be very close to Letshwiti as a partner in the recently formed lottery company. Raditladi has been credited with the transformation of several local companies including G4s and Yarona FM among others.
The list of talented candidates for the position also includes the self styled Kelesitse Gilika of relegated side Gilport Lions. Gilika is armed with corporate governance experience and has been in football management for many years at both GU and Gilport Lions. Gilika is believed to be loyal to Letshwiti through his relationship with Gaborone business mogul Nicholas Zackem, another Letshwiti ally.
The dark horses in the race to the BFA secretariat position is youthful international football agent Olebile Sikwane. An enthusiastic go getter, Sikwane was Letshwiti’s spokesperson and key Strategist during the just ended campaign and many believe he has an eye on Mfolo’s position. Sikwane is a lawyer in the corporate world who also works as an accredited FIFA agent and a published author. He worked in South Africa before coming back home to manage Gaborone United.
Meanwhile, there is another BFA lieutenant and mainstay, Setete Phuthego, who has reportedly worked tirelessly in the Team Letshwiti campaign. He has been General Manager of the BPL before. Setete knows his way around domestic football and it would not be a surprise if he rises through the ranks. He is currently BFA Head of Compliance and Competitions.
The charismatic Kgosana Masaseng of the Footballers Union of Botswana is another name which has been bandied about. Masaseng is credited for creating a relationship between clubs and the BFA through the Union. He is believed to be wielding a lot of influence in domestic football. Whether the BFA would afford to lure him to Lekidi is anyone’s guess. According to sources close to the matter, the new CEO maybe brought in as early as January 2021. How the BFA deals with Mfolo's contract, which ends in September 2021, is different matter.