07 Jan 2016

When Kelesitse Gilika got handed Gilport Lions on a silver platter by the Ghodrati family many people doubted whether he was going to manage to sustain the club.

Sceptics were of the view that running a football club in Botswana called for a lot of financial muscle such as footing players' monthly salaries, accommodation, camping fees and transport.

Despite the fact that the team hardly has any supporters, a South African construction and transport company, Slim Holdings breathed life into Gilport Lions in October by sponsoring them with  P6 million over three years.

No team in the elite league has ever received such amount of sponsorship, not even the so-called big clubs such as  Gaborone United, Extension Gunners, Mochudi Centre Chiefs and Township Rollers.

Before Slim Holdings came on board the team was struggling to make ends meet with players going for months unpaid. But things have now changed, and in this transfer window some top players are said to be salivating to join 'The Lions.'

Lions players are now motivated and the team has managed to hold big established teams. They held Gaborone United to a 0-0 draw and also drew 2-2 against Extension Gunners just before the Christmas break. Out of the 17 games they have played, they won five, drew four, lost eight and have accumulated 19 points.

Gilika said they target finishing in a respectable position at the end of the beMOBILE Premiership campaign. He said during the transfer window the team is not going to “rock the boat,” but will only reinforce where possible.

“It’s a fact we have a lucrative sponsor, but the money is meant for players welfare. We are not going to be excited and sign many players. We have released Godfrey Ngele and David Makakaba and are only targeting four players in defence, left wing, striker and midfield department,” he said.

About the technical team, Gilika said they are going to continue with their technical department, adding that their head coach, Paradzayi Mandivenga has just completed his B licence certificate. He said Mandivenga is qualified to meet the target of finishing in a respectable position.

Quizzed about how prepared his team was to comply with CAF’s club licensing, he said they were already ahead of other clubs as they have signed a 10 year contract for the use of Lady Olebile Masire Youth Centre. The team has an office, a youth development structure, and all first team players have signed professional contracts.

“Honestly we meet all the requirements therefore we are ready to comply at any given time,” he said. Ends