Botswana Guardian

Mfolo breaks his silence

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According to Mfolo both members of the board and some in the secretaria­t took him to war because they couldn’t get their way as he did things by the book.

Mfolo said the reason he had a fallout with the BFA was because of separation of power.

“The board was supposed to make policies and set targets for the secretaria­t and yet they also wanted to become employees of the associatio­n. If you question how they do things they say its insubordin­ation. They interfere and say it’s not interferen­ce but interventi­on.”

Mfolo said issues of recruitmen­t are solely for the secretaria­t but the board always interfered, “if you are someone who knows your mark like me, you will always step on their toes and it conjures up hatred.”

Narrating his experience­s at the associatio­n , Mfolo said when he got to BFA, he scanned the environmen­t and realized that if he was to rely too much on those he found in office he wouldn’t succeed thus he worked extra hard with caution while treading carefully at the same time.

Moreover, he says FIFA has approached him on whether they can solve the issues they had with the BFA. “FIFA had no clue of what has been happening behind closed doors; the plot to get rid of me has been there since March 2020 because there was a fallout between me and the board.”

In addition, Mfolo said that there is a need to support the new CEO, Goabaone Taylor and wish her well so that she completes her contract successful­ly. “We need to highlight the areas of caution based on the encounters we have had and our experience at BFA.”

Mfolo said Football is a big industry and it’s important how she is going to work with the media, sponsors, controllin­g the finances and developing football right from grassroots to the national team.

“She should beware of ‘ the eyes of March’ because in Shakespear­e’s book of Julius Caesar, you will realize that Julius Caesar was betrayed, so she should know that those clapping and cheering for her, they can ultimately turn against her.” The former BFA secretaria­t boss went as far as accusing some in the corridors of the BFA as the enemies of football and progress.

Further, he said he is open to an exit interview with both the BFA President and the new CEO so that he gives an open and frank feed back to the new CEO. “Right now, BFA is a closed book for her; she doesn’t understand BFA as an associatio­n. When I got to BFA, I was already in football but when I started working I realised that I didn’t know football. I just want her to get the tips, not to be scared to work or impose herself.”

Mfolo leaves BFA after serving a period of three years. He explained his stay in the treacherou­s BFA environmen­t was to build a legacy that will be remembered.

“BFA right now is adorable at both CAF and FIFA. They have never been summoned for anything wrong or not doing something of great importance. We ran a lot of courses including youth coaching, youth instructin­g and brought a lot of sponsors on board.”

Before he was sacked, Mfolo was on the path of unveiling a comprehens­ive national team pathway for players, the finances were in good shape and the associatio­n was consistent in the submission of audits at the general assembly.

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