20 Aug 2017

Debswana First Division North 2017/18 football season is scheduled to start on September 2.

In an interview, First Division North vice chairperson, Bongane Thomola said the new season would kicked off with a double header at the Sam Son Stadium in Selebi Phikwe.

“The first game will see Real Movers battle it out with ECCO City Greens followed by former premier league outfits NICO United and BR Highlanders. It is going to be an exhilarating weekend of first division football,” said Thomola.

He also mentioned that competition for automatic promotion to the elite league would be tougher because of the teams that relegated to their league last season.

He highlighted that teams like NICO United, Green Lovers and Mahalapye United Hotspurs would add the spark to the rivalry that already exists in their league.

As for some of the changes that have been implemented, Thomola said team grants were going to be P50 000 compared to other campaigns where teams were given P25 000 twice a season.

“This was prompted by the fact that it is easier to plan for a full season when you have the entire amount in your account than when you only have half of it,” explained Thomola.

In a plea to football lovers, Thomola urged them to throng football grounds in large numbers to support their teams as they were major stakeholders as far as running the team was concerned.

Meanwhile, Mahalapye United Hotspurs are geared up for the new season as they attempt a return to the elite league. They will tackle Palapye side Morupule Wanderers.

In an interview, Hotspurs public relations officer, Boniface Disho said the boys were up for the challenge and were being drilled by caretaker coach, Candy Tsheboeng.

He added that they have managed to retain only five of their last season’s squad of 30 players, and have replaced them with some players from lower division teams.

He also said they have released some of their players because they could not afford their wage demands.

Disho also said they were negotiating with a Mahalapye businessman to sponsor the team, but that they were yet to come to an agreement.

Furthermore, cross town rivals Highlanders are also ready for the new season despite not having a coach after parting ways with Boyo Radipotsane.

The team’s chairperson, Wamorena Maruapula revealed that their hunt for a new head coach was on and that during the coming few weeks, they would release an advert for the position of the new head coach.

He also revealed that the team was currently under the watchful eye of assistant coaches, Kabo Dintwa and Issac Masobe.

On his team’s preparations, Maruapula said their recruitment drive was busy at work as they look to strengthen their squad for the upcoming season.

He also said as the executive committee of the club, they were determined to work closely with the technical team to ensure the smooth running of the team. ENDS