The chase for the top four spot in the Botswana Telecommunication Corporation Charity Cup knockout challenge has come to an end as Orapa United, Township Rollers, Gaborone United and Mochudi Centre Chiefs emerged the victorious teams.
The foursome is led by Orapa with 37, 472, on the second place is Rollers with 36 309, 34,979 votes went to GU and Centre Chiefs joined them with 31 402 votes.
Results from voting were revealed at a press conference at Lekidi football Centre this past Monday after the voting lines closed on the 05th of August the previous day.
Football Supporters were given the opportunity to vote for their clubs so that their team will stand a chance to play in the tournament and it was recorded that a total of 225 050 votes were received.
The tournament is scheduled this weekend on the 11th of August at the national stadium.GU will play against Centre Chiefs at 0900hrs and Rollers will play Orapa at 1130hrs for the semifinals. Tournament price winner will receive P300 000, runners up will get P200 000 and the semi finalists will each get a consoling P120 000.
Amongst the early front runners the race to the top four were Miscellaneous and Extension Gunners, with the latter among early favourites to make it into the last four.
Miscellaneous popularly known as “Tse Nala” had a consistent run during the voting process however 26 294 votes were not enough to secure them a place in the top four teams for the Charity Cup. Extension Gunners who were interchanging the lead with other clubs settled for 24 085 votes.
Reached for comment Miscellaneous Club Chairman Seiphetho Sefako said the supporters tried their best to vote for the team, and eventually they stopped where they could. He added that he accepts the loss because they lost fair and square although they were not informed of the margin of their loss in terms of numbers.
For his part Botswana Premier League CEO, Thabo Ntshinogang, said he appreciates all the votes that came through as they will help in their objective of the Charity cup. He further explained that as it stands the votes will not affect the final attendance as this is a Charity cup which football fans from across all clubs are expected to come and offer support to the event.
