16 Nov 2017

Daniel ‘Chicco Dance’ Nare has been appointed as the assistant coach of Orapa United as the hunt for the head coach continues.

The vice chairperson of Orapa United, Kennekae Nkape revealed on Saturday during an event aimed at taking the team to the people in Letlhakane.

The colourful event covered kit launch and introduction of four new players.

Nkape stated that the team had suffered a setback, but would overcome it. He also announced the recent departure of its coach Madinda Ndlovu.

The team chairperson, Thatayaone Sithole said the objective of the event was to take the team to the people of Boteti since majority of its supporters were from areas surrounding Orapa.

He implored the community of Boteti to embrace the team and give it support to stimulate performance of players.

Sithole said the public had also indicated that they would like to have the team named Boteti United, but the name could not be considered since there was a team which previously used the same name.

The objective behind the formation of Orapa United was to make Orapa a conducive place to live and work in.

The idea to merge the teams in Boteti into one team, he said, was hatched by the former general manager of Orapa Letlhakane and Damtshaa Mines, Adrian Gale, in a move to pave way for Orapa Today Boteti Tomorrow project (OTBT).

The objective of OTBT was to establish projects and activities that could sustain the town and Boteti Sub-district after mine closure, and Orapa United was one such project.

Sithole said the team was financed by the mine and would in future operate independently, saying it deserved to be run in a professional manner.

He stated that it sustained itself through selling and supplying refreshments, adding it had an entertainment centre which sold beverages to make profit.

Kgosietsile Makula who was one of the founders of Orapa United said the formation of the team which was in 2011 tough as it involved members of different teams with different ideas, but managed to succeed as they finally registered the team.

The team, he said reeled through tough times as it started operating through finances from their pockets, but persevered as Debswana financed the team. Performance of the team, he said gained momentum with time.

Botswana Football Association chairperson Boteti region, Phillemon Bunu commended Orapa United for getting 100 per cent club licencing.

Bunu urged them to elevate performance to remain in Premier league.

Boteti sub-district council chairperson , Molemi Galeragwe said Orapa United Football Club have been embraced in Boteti.

He implored supporters to rally behind the team, noting that supporters give players motivation. BOPA