BDF XI
National team captain, Mompati ‘Apache’ Thuma, is in South Africa trying his luck at Premier League side, Platinum Stars based in Rustenburg. Though BDF XI publicity officer, Philemon Mompati, could not deny or confirm the news, it is said that Matebele are already lining up some replacements in case they lose their star defender.
Names which have been hinted are ECCO City Greens’ Keabetswe Jenamiso and Nkosinathi Dube, who is said to be a free agent. After being appointed head coach, Nelson Setshwane is expected to name his assistants tomorrow (Monday). It is understood that the assistant would be from within the barracks.
Letang Kgengwenyane, Chamoleke Botlhoko and Timmy Setswe are some of the names which have been proposed. Manager Masego Ntshingane is said to have been tasked with the responsibility of getting new players before the season starts. Top of the list is said to be two quality strikers and goalkeeper. After releasing goalkeeper Khalid Niyonzima, BDF XI is likely to lose to Basimanebotlhe ‘Cheeseboy’ Moilwa who is frustrated by lack of game time since arriving at Matebele.
 
BMC
After releasing about eight players, Ezinkomo have only managed to land former Extension Gunners hard man, Kemmy ‘Gweru’ Pilato. The player signed on the dotted line last week and is expected to be part of the team which will be challenging for honours next season.
BMC are said to be pursuing two other Gunners’ players in striker Hendrick Moyo and Ofentse Mmipi. Coach Daniel ‘Chicco’ Nare was in Zimbabwe recently and it is understood he might have gone there in search of players who would add quality to the sleeping Lobatse outfit.
Nare recently told Sunday Standard that he would like to finish in the top four position and BMC management are said to have given him a blank cheque.
EXTENSION GUNNERS
Gunners have signed former Gaborone United defender George Mpuniki who was on loan at First division side Mochudi Buffaloes last season. Former TAFIC star, Clarkson Dzimbiri, has signed for the Lobatse giants after being released by the Francistown giants. It is also understood that after losing Kemmy Pilato to cross town rivals, BMC, Mapantsula coaching staff are looking at Nelson Moreetsi (Notwane), Alphonse Modisaotsile (TAFIC) and Elijah Montsho (Mochudi Centre Chiefs) as a replacement for their departed star.
Gunners are also in the hunt for a goalkeeper with Botlhe Moralo (Notwane) and Basimanebotlhe Moilwa as their main targets. Gunners’ publicity officer, Nelson Radijeng, has confirmed that they will be taking part in the CAF Confederations Cup this season.
This comes after the Peleng giants won the Coca-Cola Cup, beating relegated Motlakase in the final. After ending their contract with sportswear Dlala, Gunners will be launching their new kit on July 23 in Lobatse. It is expected that on the day, they are likely to play South African Premier League side in a pre-season friendly.
 
GABORONE UNITED
Defender Gobonyeone ‘Shoes’ Selefa has confirmed that he is waiting to hear from the management pertaining to the new offer. The defender was recently linked with a move away from the Reds but he is said to be considering to stay put.
“He was frustrated by not playing but with the new coach, he wants to try and impress,” said a close source to Selefa.
With defensive midfielder Ofentse Nato linked with a move to South African Premier League club Amazulu, Gaborone United approached rivals Township Rollers for the services of midfielder Amos ‘Shoes’ Godirwang. GU are also in search of a top-notch goalkeeper, Noah Maposa from Mochudi Centre Chiefs, if he fails to impress Platinum Stars where he is undergoing trials.
Speedy midfielder Mandla Mgadla is likely to join BDF XI. Gaborone United have called a press conference billed for Tuesday morning where they are expected to make some major announcements going into the new season.
 
UNIAO FLAMENGO SANTOS
Though they are in denial, Santos are bound to lose most of their key players going into the new season.
Out of contract stars, Mogakolodi ‘Tsotso’ Ngele and Thato ‘Yellow’ Bolweleng, seem to be heading to Township Rollers. The two star players nearly joined Rollers in August last year but their move was not made possible by Santos. Talented midfielder, Bakang Moeng, is weighing options at the moment and his possible destination could be BDF XI.
Extension Gunners showed interest in the midfielder but pulled away after he showed interest in joining the army.
Another star, Boitshoko ‘Bayi’ Zikhale, has agreed personal terms with Gunners and will be donning the black and white colours of Mapantsula next season.
 
TOWNSHIP ROLLERS
Goalkeeper Kabelo Dambe says he is waiting to hear from managing director Somerset Gobuiwang after undergoing trials at Platinum Stars in South Africa. The talented goalkeeper is also a target of BDF XI as he has shown interest in joining the army.
Hardworking midfielder Amos ‘Shoes’ Godirwang is said to be unhappy at the club and wants to be loaned out for next season.
Godirwang has played a cameo role last season and with African Cup of Nations coming, he wants to move to a side where he will get more game time. Godirwang did not even make it to the Be MOBILE Premier League awards recently alongside Thapelo ‘Pepe’ Balepi.
Reports indicate that Mapalastina have released defender Gaopatwe ‘Shoes’ Seosenyeng who was signed from BDF XI last season. His release from the league champions remains a mystery. A number of youngsters are likely to be loaned out this week when head coach Wesley Mondo returns after attending a C-Lincence coaching course in Zambia.
Rollers are interested in signing former Motlakase winger Kagiso ‘Baros’ Bodigelo who hails from Molepolole. The talented winger is said to have told his peers that nothing would stop him from donning Rollers’ colours next season. Rollers have invited Zambian centre-back Bernard Mapili for week-long trials. “Rollers were not convincing in defence last season hence the invitation,” said a source.
 
MOCHUDI CENTER CHIEFS
New head coach, Madinda Ndlovu, arrived in the country recently and has been taking his charges through their paces. Most of the players have told Sunday Standard that the new coach has impressed them and they are willing to fight for him next season. Ndlovu has brought three Zimbabwean players to the club and they are undergoing trials.
Chiefs are chasing few players in a bid to strengthen their squad. Striker Pako Moloi (Notwane) and left-back Ontse Ntesa (ECCO City Greens) are the prime targets at the moment.
Chiefs are likely to leave on July 19 for a training camp in South Africa.
“It’s a closely guarded secret which has been kept under wraps but it seems they will leave on July 19 and return month end. In South Africa they will engage in a few friendly games before coming back,” said a source within the camp.
