The dispute between Botswana Football Association (BFA) and former national under 23 gaffer Keitumetse “Pio” Paul will be resolved soon the two parties have reached an out of court settlement Sunday Standard has established.
The long-running dispute emanates from Paul’s litigation efforts of defamation and unpaid entitlements by the BFA after he was sacked some 18 months ago.
While Paul was engaged as the Zebras assistant U-23 coach, he was employed at the University of North West in South Africa. It is said that the coach felt intimidated by the football governing body sacking him for alleged misconduct after holding a press conference to complain about U-23 players diverted to the senior side ahead of a crucial Olympic qualifier match.
Deemed water under the bridge, it has emerged that the settlement might witness Paul’s return to the national team set-up in the near future.
Close sources have revealed to this publication that Paul is on the brink of penning a deal that will mark his return to work with Zebras senior coach as assistant.
‘’Negotiations in the predicament surrounding the BFA and Paul will soon be laid to rest as they are engaged in settling the matter out of court. It is just a matter of agreeing on few things before the parties forge a working relationship. Paul will be reinstated to the national camp as soon as the matter is resolved,” said a source opting for anonymity.
While it is rife that Paul’s comeback is imminent, the pint-sized coach was tight-lipped on the matter. “I have been away in South Africa most of the time and my attorney is better placed to discuss the matter. I have been advised not to disclose anything to the media about the matter between myself and the BFA but I am aware that our case is still at the High Court,” Paul told Sunday Standard.
BFA spokesperson Tumo Mpatane said they had been in talks with Paul but could not disclose details. However, he said talks with Paul were nothing to do with administrative agendas. “We have been in talks with coach Paul but it was nothing administrative. At the moment there is nothing to comment much on the matter as it is still internal,” Mpatane said.
