There was a mixture of joy and tears this past weekend as the curtain fell on the tightly contested be-Mobile Premier League (BPL).
While it was joy for some who had won the league and sorrow for those relegated, it was a bit of both for some like Botswana’s football star export to South African league, Mogakolodi Tsotso Ngele as two teams close to his heart had different fortunes both at the top and at the end of the league table.
While the star would have celebrated his former team, Township Rollers winning the league, he also had to contend with the fact that his other beloved team, Uniao Flamenco Santos had been relegated.
At the end of the marathon be-Mobile Premiere League this past Saturday, while still unaware of the fortunes of Santos, Ngele took to the social media to congratulate Rollers on winning the league.
“Congrats Mapalastina…..give credit where it is due,” Ngele posted around 6:27pm to congratulate the team that gave him the platform to showcase his talent outside the borders of Botswana in the lucrative ABSA Premier League.
The message was received with much joy by the Rollers faithful, wishing him all the best in his career.
At that time the Platinum Stars star did not know that Santos, a team that had groomed, nurtured and introduced him to the BPL had been relegated.
Ngele’s despair at Rollers’ achievements would however turn into disappointment moments later as word got to him via facebook that Santos had been relegated.
“Ao banna Santos e dule? (Santos has been relegated?),” responded the obviously disappointed Ngele.
The star’s response generated some consolation from his supporters. Torn apart by the extremely contrasting fortunes of teams close to his heart, Ngele sent a consolation message to his beloved Santos and another congratulatory one to his Rollers’ family.
“All will be well one day for Santos” and “Rollers family can go and enjoy themselves,” the former Rollers and Santos’ star said, a clear sign of a man divided between two emotions ÔÇô happiness and anguish.
After all the drama Ngele went on to become the big winner during the recent BNSC Awards on that same Saturday.
He scooped the Botswana National Sport Council Chairman’s Award, ending his day in a celebratory fashion.
After winning the Award Ngele went back to South Africa where he will help his team Platinum Stars qualify for the MTN Top 8 cup.
Unlike last season when they finished the league as runner ups to Kaizer Chiefs, Stars are struggling, garnering only 39 points at number eight with only one game left.
Amazulu are threatening their position, hovering at position nine with 39 points and a game in hand.
Next week Saturday (10 May) Ngele and his teammates will be hoping to consolidate their top 8 position when they host Ajax Cape Town in Rustenburg.
