Fowler cries foul play
Serves former team, Notwane FC with a letter of demand
Former Notwane FC Coach, Omphemetse ‘ Fowler’ Selwe who was placed on sabbatical leave despite being two point adrift of log leaders at the time, is taking the matter up with a letter of demand. He led the team at the beginning of the season, playing six ( 6) games, winning two ( 2), drawing two ( 2) and losing two matches.
While Selwe was still serving his ‘ sabbatical leave’ and still awaiting the club executive to take the next step regarding his position, the club went on to appoint a new coach, something that did not please the former Tlokweng Red Sparks gaffer, according to close reports.
“To start with, his suspension was unjustified, someone took a decision out of his emotions, the vice chairperson is one of those who strongly supported the coach, but there were others who didn’t and it is always their interests, not of the club,” one of the former members of the technical team, who chose to remain anonymous, told Sun Sport. Contacted for a comment, Selwe confirmed that indeed, together with his representatives are working on finding a possible solution with the club.
“My representatives have formerly submitted our case, a letter of demand, before the club last week, they have seen and accepted the letter and we are waiting for their response this week. It is about the way we parted- ways, I had a contract with the team and nothing on the contract was honored so we need answers, that is all I can say for now,” Selwe said.
Sun Sport has learnt that the club received the letter on the 2nd of April 2024 and were expected to respond within five ( 5) working days, failing which the appellant would take the next step with the Botswana Football Association ( BFA) National Dispute Resolution Chamber ( NDRC), the immediate football structure to address disputes in local football. Close reports have informed this publication, that Selwe is owed an estimated figure amounting to over P50 000 from the agreement he had with the club, since signing on the dotted line, but fuel allowance was duly paid while the monthly payment agreement was never fulfilled.
Over the past years, Notwane has not been fully compliant with the Botswana Football Association and CAF Club licensing manual, following debts owed to former coaches amongst others, Wire Kaelo and Michael Mogaladi. Reached for a comment, Notwane Public Relations Officer, Mogomotsi ‘ Ace’ Orapeleng did not deny receiving letters of demand from Selwe but could not respond on the matter, stating that they are still to deliberate on it and explore possible solutions, including other challenges [ financial] the club is facing. “The issue is still on the table, we are set to have a meeting where we will discuss issues affecting the club, that’s all I can say for now,” Orapeleng responded. The BFA National Executive Committee ( NEC) opted to pardon some teams which had failed to comply this past season and President of the Association, Maclean Letshwiti warned that the same would not be repeated in the future. The First Instance Body ( FIB), a structure overseeing club licensing implementation exercise at BFA is expected to once more issue an update on how the local national league members are performing regarding club licensing compliance after the completion of the current football season.