03 Feb 2015

The January transfer window would not be a memorable transfer window in Botswana football without big teams flexing their muscles on the top players. 

Before the transfer window officially closed on Friday night, the league defending champions and current log leaders, Township Rollers did what others have likened to South Africa’s Sundowns and Spain’s Real Madrid. 

They have signed four top class players namely Jerome 'JJ' Ramatlhakwane, Dirang Moloi, Tshepo 'Talk Talk' Motlhabankwe and Noah 'Shangwari' Maposa. 

Ramatlhakwane joins the Gaborone West based club on a 12- months loan deal from Don Bosco in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). JJ needs no introduction in the local circles; he is the same man who scored four match-winners when the Zebras qualified for AFCON back in 2012. 

He is well known for performing his best at national team level without any participation in club football. His move to Rollers may come as a blessing for him and his new club.  He has already scored one goal in two matches so far. 

One of the jewels in the new squad, Dirang Moloi also joins the team from Don Bosco but as a free agent after the club released him. Moloi is perhaps the most valuable signing of this transfer, and his displays in midfield are testament to that. 

Domestically, he has played for Notwane and Mochudi Centre Chiefs before making his pursuit internationally at Vasco Da Gama and Don Bosco. He will join Lawrence Majawa, Maano Ditshupo, Lesego Molemogi and Segolame Boy in the midfield. 

He is expected to take the throne in the central midfield. He is a maestro in his position and can still expect ample playing time ahead of other players this season. And, if his combination with Segolame Boy comes off well, their attacking force will become one of the most feared in the country.

Also among the newly signing stars is Maposa, who also joins the club as a free agent from Garankuwa United FC in South Africa.  The 29-year-old goalkeeper returns to Botswana’s top flight league after a short spell with the South African National First Division side. 

The former Gaborone United man will fight for the number one spot with fellow teammates Michael Pepukani and last year’s player of the season, Mwampule Masule.  Last but not least is veteran right back Tshepo Motlhabankwe who joins the club from BMC as a free agent. 

The club released him after a change of ownership and Popa became his first and last stop. The player made his mark as a young player at Extension Gunners and later moved on to win silverware at Magosi. 

He brings in a lot of experience into the Rollers team having won league titles and domestic cups.  He has played in the CAF Champions League a couple of times with Magosi.

Above all, the main reason for all the new signings is that Rollers felt that their squad was good but was not strong enough to fight for the beMOBILE Premier League, Mascom Top 8 and the CAF Champions’ League all at the same time. 

In an interview, Rollers secretary general, Khumoyame Masonya said they made an observation that the squad had performed well but now they had three tasks at hand therefore it was necessary to beef up the team. 

“Nobody is going to replace anyone, we just added more experience enough to tackle all the three competitions we have ahead of us” he said. 

He said the pressure needed a lot of experienced players who can motivate the young ones in crucial games like the upcoming CAF Champions League game against Kaizer Chiefs on February 14.  Masonya said the old players have already welcomed the new signings with open arms and there was no sign of resentment. 

 Masonya also cleared the rumours which suggested that Moloi will be paid a lot of money at the team. “We are shocked at those rumours, we don’t even have the financial capabilities to do that,” he said. Masonya however said he cannot discuss Moloi’s monthly wages because it was a deal between him and his employers. 

Two of the players, JJ and Talk Talk have already made their official debut . They were present in their 1-0 loss at the hands of Mochudi Centre Chiefs this previous weekend. ENDS