Under-20 to guard against complacency Ralebala vows to put past behind
Former Botswana Football League (BFL) board chairperson, Aryl Ralebala has said he is willing to put the FRANCISTOWN: Under-20 women’s coach, Tapaphiwa past behind and work with anyone so that local Gaebolae has said that there will be no room football can reach greater heights. for complacency when they meet Angola in the return Ralebala, who also owns the newly Premier leg of a World Cup qualifier tomorrow. The Junior League rookies Masitaoka, resigned from his Mares go into the clash at the Obed Itani Chilume position at BFL this week because of pressure Stadium, all but assured of progress to the next round, from some shareholders. after a resounding 4-1 victory in Luanda last week. Some Premier League sides have publicly
“We are very focussed on the match. We have had questioned Ralebala’s leadership with reports very good preparations since we came back from Luanda. suggesting that there was intense fighting going Although we carry a healthy lead, we do not on behind the scenes at Lekidi Football anticipate an easy match against Angola. They are a Centre. However, without dwelling too much strong side. They have good players who have the potential on the internal brawls going on at the BFL to cause problems for us,” Gaebolae said. board, Ralebala did confirm that he stepped
She added that all the 20 players in the squad will aside because of differences in opinions. be available for selection for the Angola clash. “What He said he was not going to stay at the helm is important for tomorrow’s match is to guard against when others felt that he was not fitting the complacency. profile that is needed to be in that position.
We have been talking to the players to be focused Jwaneng Galaxy chairperson, Njabulo Gilika and guard against being overconfident. If they become has been temporarily given the responsibility too confident, complacency can creep in and eventually to lead the board until the next meeting. cost us,” Gaebolae told MmegiSport. The Junior Ralebala said despite what has happened to Mares travelled to Francistown on Wednesday and had their first training session yesterday. The coach said travelling to Francistown on Wednesday was meant to allow the team to acclimatise to the conditions in the city.
Traditionally, the junior national team plays its matches in Gaborone. “Our focus on training ahead of the Angola clash will be on perfecting our finishing. We could have won the first-round tie with a huge margin had it not been for our poor finishing. We missed simple chances,” she said.
The side will pin its hopes on captain Obonetse Rathari, who was among the goal scorers on Saturday. Rathari has been instrumental since the qualifiers started and has chipped in with vital goals. Double Action’s Keitumetse Dithebe is also among the players to look out for on Saturday.
The forward is among players who hardly put their foot wrong. She also capped her fine performance with a goal against Angola. The winner between Botswana and Angola will likely meet Ethiopia who carries a commanding 4-0 lead over Rwanda. A brace from Rediet Matos and goals from Aregash Tadesse as well as Turist Lema meant that the Ethiopians take home a healthy lead. The return leg between Ethiopia and Rwanda has also been scheduled for tomorrow in Bahir Dar. Two teams from Africa will earn a berth in the 2022 FIFA Under-20 World Cup, which Costa Rica hosts. The event was due to be held last year but was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
him when he was the chairperson, he is willing to work with everyone so that football can grow.
“I felt that football is regressing instead of going forward. The COVID-19 effect cannot be ignored as well but what I wanted to see was football moving forward. Maybe I came at the wrong time. Whoever takes over, I will give them my support. Because at the end of the day I am supporting football and not necessarily an individual,” he said.
The internal fights at the elite league body in the country have come a long way before the entity was finally granted its autonomy. Reports of big brother mentality have always been said to play a big role in the bickering which some have blamed for the stagnant growth of the game in the country.
The usual ‘big players’ in these fights always dictate terms and anything that goes against their wishes falls by the wayside. For years, the Premier League sides have always clamoured for autonomy arguing that operating under the Botswana Football Association (BFA) hinders progress. The BFA has, over the years been reluctant to grant the structure its full autonomy until a decision was finally reached at last year’s elective general assembly.
Ralebala was appointed the chairperson early this year after his side gained promotion to the elite league. Of all the other former league chairpersons, former Uniao Flamengo Santos, Mike Molefe appeared to command the respect from his fellow club chairpersons. Molefe, despite other challenges, hardly ever came under pressure until his reign came to an end.