BFL eyes SA’s Mbatha for CEO post
The Botswana Football League (BFL) has reportedly set its eye on South African administrator, Senzo Mbatha to temporarily take charge as chief executive. The BFL was left without a CEO after the resignation of Solomon Ramochotlhwane this week. Operations manager, Patrick Motsepe has been inserted to hold fort pending a permanent appointment.
However, reports indicate Mbatha, also known as Mazingiza, could be roped in. He will not come at a cost to the BFL as he will be seconded from CAF. “His name has been discussed. Nothing concluded yet, but it appears an attractive option for the BFL as it is a cost-free arrangement while they search for a substantive replacement,” the source said.
The former Orlando Pirates administrator has recently been at Tanzanian side, Young Africans where he left in August.
If appointed, Mbatha will take temporary charge until December, with the BFL expected to appoint a permanent chief executive in January. “He is an attractive option, as he has the requisite experience which could prove invaluable for an organisation like the BFL.
He will help put the house in order before a substantive CEO comes in,” the source added. Mbatha has extensive football management experience, notably serving as the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup and 2010 World Cup deputy tournament director. BFL chairperson, Nicholas Zakhem said the hunt for the CEO will begin with an advert expected to be flighted before the end of the week.
Zakhem dismissed reports that the BFL had requested certain BFA employees to take over the CEO’s role on an interim basis.
There were reports the BFL was keen on general manager-football operations, Monnakgotla Mojaki and head of competitions and operations, Olebile Sikwane.
“What we did was to write to the BFA informing them about the departure of the CEO and asked for help. There was no mention of Mojaki or Sikwane. The BFA is represented on the BFL board by the first vice president and the CEO, so it’s normal that we inform them,” he said.