Butale linked with BFA presidency

Former Zebras player, Phazha Butale is the latest name to be linked with the Botswana Football Association (BFA) presidency. Butale, who works as a chief negotiator in the Ministry of Trade and Industry, is reportedly favoured within government circles to succeed incumbent, Maclean Letshwiti.

Letshwiti is expected to run for a third term but a host of other names have been bandied as possible candidates. Butale dismissed the links when quizzed by MmegiSport this week. “(There is) no truth. I haven’t even thought of it. Who told you this? (It is) good that they hold me in high regard,” the former Notwane midfielder said. Despite his denial, sources said Butale would be approached to stand, at a time when there is a reported fall-out between the Ministry of Youth, Gender, Sport and Culture, and the BFA leadership.

“The minister (Tumiso Rakgare) will support Butale’s candidature if he is to contest. He is seen as a man who could normalise relations between the association and the ministry,” added the source. Former BFA president, Tebogo Sebego is amongst the names that have been associated with the top position. Sebego’s right-hand man in the last two campaigns, Tariq Babitseng has confirmed his interest in becoming the next BFA president.

“It is cast in stone,” Babitseng said of his decision to contest. Asked if he had gone separate ways with Sebego, he quipped: “We are still one. We are Friends of Football.” There was no immediate response from Sebego on his intentions. The BFA’s first vice president, Masego Nchingane is another name that has been mentioned as a possible candidate. Nchingane, who was previously in the Sebego camp before shifting to the Letshwiti end ahead of the 2020 elections, did not respond to messages on his reported interest. The BFA is expected to hold its elections in October 2024. Letshwiti has been at the helm since 2016.