Sobering start to league season
It was a very sobering moment for the fans to learn that the Botswana Premier League will kick off without a title sponsor for a third consecutive season. Just as the whistle was about to blow for the kick-off of the 2022-2023 season, the local fans’ mood was lifted following the announcement that alcohol would be sold on match days. The thirst is not yet quenched after the first three rounds of league games.
The match venues remain white elephants as the teams do battle in the field under almost empty stands. The thrill of local football has not fully hit the fans’ veins. This could be excused by the long wait before the start of the season. It was a long five months wait for the ball to start rolling again.
There is evident confusion over the sale of match day tickets. A few days before the start of the league, the Botswana Football League (BFL) announced that clubs are prohibited from selling tickets at venues on match days. The BFL was to introduce an electronic point of sale for the ticket while some other point of sale was to be at club offices and selected stores.
This, as the BFL said, was a way of avoiding congestion at the gates. However, it is evident that local football lovers are still stuck with the traditional methods as the BFL tries to move with the modern ways. Mmegi Sport has noticed that although tickets are still being sold at match day venues, there has been little to no congestion as fans continue to stay away from the games.
The gate-takings are one of the main sources of income for the teams. Just three rounds in, some of the clubs are decrying a lack of resources. The situation has been worsened as clubs will not be receiving monthly grants from the league office.
League debutants, Eleven Angels this week set up donation stalls in shopping centres in Francistown. Mogoditshane Fighters have also blamed their poor start to the season on a lack of funds. The situation across the 16 clubs is dire as only a handful can stay afloat. The football on the field has not reached its peak but it is set to be an exciting race to the championship. Champions, Gaborone United, are the early pace setters and remain the only team to win all their three opening games.
The Reds are yet to concede and scored two goals in every game. Fellow contenders, Township Rollers and Orapa United could have been disturbed by technical team changes and alongside Jwaneng Galaxy, could find their rhythm soon, setting up an exciting four-horse race for the title. It has been a sour start to the season for BDF XI.
The team finds itself in a rather unfamiliar 15th place with just a point from the three games. BDF XI are yet to score this season while they let in three goals. Fighters and league debutants, Holy Ghost have shown early struggles with a point each from the opening games. It has, however, been a pleasing start for newly promoted Nico United as they find themselves inside the top eight bracket while they are yet to lose a league game thus far. A total of 56 goals have been scored, four fewer as compared to the last season’s three opening rounds.