Rollers blink first in Ratanang saga
It promised to be a drawn out transfer saga, but one which might end up with a one-sided contest. Mark the word ‘might’. The disputed Onkarabile Ratanang registration had all the hallmarks of the 2016 Ofentse Nato transfer dispute.
The Nato matter rumbled on and dominated the headlines of a lengthy season which extended into the summer of 2016, the longest league campaign in Botswana’s history. It was a sense of deja vu when news emerged that Ratanang was improperly registered surfaced in recent weeks.
Rollers appeared prepared to land some lusty blows after the accusation came out. The man who bankrolls Rollers, Jagdish Shah set the ball rolling when he appeared to question his football rival, Nicholas Zakhem’s hand in the whole saga. In a media interview, Shah insinuated, or as per Members of Parliament’s cliché, imputed improper motives on Zakhem’s action. Shah contended Zakhem was ‘ill-treating’ Rollers, in what was seen as a move to tilt the title chase in Gaborone United’s favour. GU and Rollers are involved a fierce title fight. The Ratanang case points to the title race turning into a dump squib.
The early exchanges set the stage for a bare knuckled fight, arousing football fraternity’s interest. This after the Botswana Football Association (BFA) chief executive officer, Mfolo Mfolo jolted the Botswana Football League (BFL) into action over Shah’s utterances.
Fans from both sides of the aisle were sucked into the saga, with GU supporters standing in the Zakhem corner, while Shah had the Rollers lot. Neutrals’ also picked their sides, either the blue or the red corner. While fans were still taking their seats to watch the blockbuster football saga, Rollers appeared to blink first in the stare down and they could soon be out for the count.
On Friday, the BFA and to an extent, the Red corner scored a significant victory when two Rollers officials, Sidney Magagane and Motshegetsi
Mafa were suspended over their involvement in the registration of Ratanang outside the transfer window. Yes, it’s not about GU, but the plot of this script has been crafted to feel way.
The expectation was that Rollers will bite back and challenge the suspension of their officials, but in a ‘tail-between-the-legs’ press statement, Popa welcomed the BFA’s decision with both hands.
The BFA recommended the matter be referred to the Player Status Committee (PSC) for determination and possibly, sanction.
Rollers also gave a thumbs up to the decision to take the matter to PSC for final determination, as well as to drag the club before the BFL Disciplinary Committee for possible sanction. It appears the fans have been denied an opportunity to watch a feisty affair.
It looks like there will be no repeat of the Nato saga which offered much more twists and thrills. The ‘Ratanang gate’ is fizzling into a no-contest unless if Rollers have an ace up their sleeve.
What probably remains of the contest is the number of points Rollers could lose from the incident as Ratanang featured prominently for the Blues.
Could the Blues be headed for the relegation scrap or they will pull a rabbit out of the hat and survive against
odds.