14 Jul 2016

Footballers Union Botswana (FUB) has sent 16 out of contract players to take part in the first ever International Federation of Professional Footballers (FIFPro) Africa Division out of contract tournament from July 14-16 in South Africa. 

Among others, the team consist of popular faces of former Township Rollers attacking duo of Onalethata Tshekiso and Sekhana Koko and former Extension Gunners long serving skipper Monageng Thaele.

The team is expected to take part in a four nation’s tournament facilitated by FIFPro alongside the host nation South Africa, Zimbabwe and Democratic Republic of Congo.

FUB Secretary General Kgosana Masaseng said the idea is to try employment for players for player’s unemployed or either without contracts. He said it provides an opportunity for them to be seen by coaches and scouts.

Masaseng explained that the tournament is a platform the union have approved and happy to take part in. 

He said the team will be under the tutelage of Rapelang Tsatsilebe.

He further said the team will play with Zimbabwe on their first game, on which they will advance to the final if they win but losers final if they lose to Zimbabwe.

“The prospect of the team doing well lies with the players and their coach,” he added. However he expressed his outmost trust to the team to do well in the tournament.

Furthermore Masaseng announced their intention to host the upcoming same event in the near future.

For his part director of Brand Botswana at International at Botswana investment and Trade Centre (BITC) Goarekwe Gaorekwe who announced prospective relationship with the FUB said it is important for Batswana who travel to outside the country to promote Botswana as a brand.

He said when in other countries one’s individual identity is lost and get to be addressed per their nationality, which in turn makes them ambassadors of their countries.

Therefore Gaorekwe said it is important for them to promote the brand Botswana in order for other countries understand where Botswana is.

He also said they were  happy to be associated with FUB and stated that it is good that they will be travelling to South Africa and appealed to them to represent the country well and paint the impression for others to be associated with Botswana. ENDS