Holy Ghost FC envisions promotion
Holy Ghost House International Ministries, a local church based in Mmopane, with branches across the country, under the leadership of Apostle Jackson Kgopolo, have, in addition to preaching the gospel, been balling in the Debswana First Division South.
The church, formed a football team in 2009, Holy Ghost FC, which has since been growing in leaps and bounds. They find themselves in contention to gain automatic promotion
into Botswana Football League ( BFL).
The ambitious project under the stewardship of the veteran football coach, Oupa Kowa are currently three ( 3) points adrift of first placed Black Forest after 11 matches played.
Having recorded 7 wins, 2 draws and 2 losses, there is a positive feeling around the club that their destination to the ‘ Promised Land’ could be this year.
Despite the excitement of a possible premier league status next year, Kowa has warned his team against complacency, but rather work to occupy the top spot.
“I keep telling the players that the
league as it is, you must keep your focus on playing to occupy the first position, and if we manage to get there, it will once again require a lot of work to stay there. This is a very difficult league, we can’t rest on our laurels and be comfortable. The teams in this league are very strong, if we become complacent we’ll experience a rude awakening. The quality of coaches and players in this league is outstanding, nothing must be taken for granted,” Oupa Kowa warned.
Kowa said the league consists of many former premier league players who have brought quality, experience and excitement into the league.
Black Forest, Mochudi Centre Chiefs
and Uniao Flamengoes Santos are some of the teams in the league with Premier league experience.
The former Notwane coach added that he feels privileged to be heading the church’s ambitious project and said the development of the club will go a long way to improve local football standards.
It is not the first time that Kowa has led a similar project. In 2016, Masitaoka FC, who at the time were competing in the Kweneng Division 1 league, appointed him but his stay was cut short despite the club leading the log standings.
“As a church, we are not known for excellence more especially in football but we have decided to embark on this journey and success is the ultimate goal. Holy Ghost is fortunately one of the few teams in the country which have their own land; for us to continue developing we have to develop that ground. The likes of VTM and City Pollar have shown that it is possible. This is something we must do, infrastructure development is key for us to be able to generate income and enable us to achieve our long term development plans. Mmopane is in the vicinity of Gaborone, so attracting crowds to the facility would not be a difficult ask,” he said.
Holy Ghost were at one point led by the late former Zebras coach, Major David Bright who passed the baton and responsibilities of the club to the current Extension Gunners youthful coach, Wame Mokoke.
Kowa acknowledged the foundation laid by those who came before him and added that, “When I joined the team, there was a strong belief that the squad is good enough to challenge for the league. I went into a project that had started a few years back and my task was to adjust a few technical things, the attitude and the mood around the club was very relaxed, I had to push everyone. I have experience in premier league, I understand what it takes to get there. I demanded more hard- work and discipline from the group and we managed to get results,” Kowa narrated.
The club gained promotion into First Division South in 2018 during the Kgatleng promotional play offs.
Holy boys’ immediate attention and focus are on the Orange FA cup this weekend as they take on a familiar foe, Uniao Flamingoes Santos who lie in wait looking to deny them a spot in the last 32 of the tournament.