The Curtain Falls
The 2021/ 2022 football story
FOOTBALL
The 2021/ 22 Botswana Football League ( BFL) season is officially in the books of history as a thrilling campaign that however did not produce a spark in its final day; there was very little to play for regarding the league standings although with drama.
Thabang Sesinyi was resilient and yet so prolific in front of goals throughout the season, his 24 goals were unmatched, not even by one of the darlings of local football, Thataoyaone Kgamanyane who finds the net with ease but had to settle for second best with 20 goals.
The scoring charts were interesting and possibly could have been more interesting; the untimely and unfortunate collapse of Police XI veteran striker, Jomo Moatlhaping in training, meant that the striker’s season was over before we even reached the half way stage.
Innocent Morapedi’s side, Gaborone United won the Premier League; the club’s second title in thirteen years. Although they played out to a nil- nil uninspiring draw in the final day of the season against the relegated Notwane FC, it is hard to argue that the Money Machine were the deserving champions of the league. Having maintained the top spot from the first day until the end, Gaborone United’s league triumph was impressive but with some serious challenges. Their expensively assembled squad could not emulate the ‘ Galaticos’ of Mochudi Centre Chiefs in 2007 who finished the seasons as invincibles; a surprise loss to BDF XI and another defeat to their nemesis, Township Rollers delayed their coronation; However, Prisons XI conceded 14 goals in their two league against the champions, such was their ruthlessness at times. Township Rollers were not ready to once again become second best in the league and Turkish gaffer, Hassan Oktay was not sparred the wrath of the club management in their pursuit of success and he was shown the exit doors after just seven games.