Botswana Football Association (BFA) has written a letter to Matebele Football Club ordering them to release Thabo Maponda to Gaborone United. The letter, titled Gaborone United vs Matebele FC and dated 12 August 2024, is the second letter written to Matebele by the association on the matter. BFA wrote the first letter ordering Matebele to release the player on the 05th of this month, August 2024.
In that first letter, the association informed Matebele it was ‘in receipt of a complaint lodged against yourselves by Gaborone United football club.’ “The pertinent details of the complaint are that your club claims to have registered one Thabo Maponda as a player.”
“Be notified that Mr Maponda duly entered into an agreement with Gaborone United football club for the period commencing 1st July 2024. The association has however been informed that your club refuses or has neglected to provide all that is necessary to effect the player’s transfer,” the first letter reads.
“You are therefore required to purge your contempt and afford Gaborone United with the necessary documents within (48) forty-eight hours of receipt of this missive. Further, you are to cease and desist having the player train with you with immediate effect,” the association ordered.
Despite the warning, Matebele seems to have not acted on the threats, leading to the BFA sending another letter this past Monday. In the confusing missive, which is signed by the BFA Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mfolo Mfolo, the association confirms as a fact that “Thabo Maponda had a contract with Matebele FC, signed on 04th August 2023, and expired on 31 May 2024.” It goes on to state as a fact that “Thabo Maponda signed a contract extension with Matebele FC on 01 February 2024, a contract for the period 01 June 2024 to 31 May 2026.”
It also goes on to state as a fact that “Thabo Maponda signed a pre-contract with Gaborone United FC on 17 May 2024 before signing “a contract with Gaborone United FC on 01 July 2024 for the period 01 July 2024 to 31 May 2027.”
The association then points out that Maponda received a signing on fee of P50 000 from GU and ‘has received a monthly’ salary ‘as per his contract’ with GU.
Despite writing that the player has two contracts, in the confusing missive, the BFA has ordered Matebele to release the player. “Based on the foregoing, we reiterate with this missive that Thabo Maponda is a Gaborone United FC player and Gaborone United must be afforded the right to register the player.”
“Thabo Maponda must report to Gaborone United FC within twenty-four (24) hours from the date of this correspondence to facilitate his registration with the team,” the BFA orders.
Both the two missives have already attracted derision for the association’s secretariat, with many questioning its powers to decide on the players’ statuses. There is now a belief that the BFA secretariat has overreached and shot itself on the foot.
Commenting on the matter, one administrator said as the matter affected a player’s status, the issue should have been referred to the Players Status Committee (PSC) for resolution. The administrator said as it stands, the association will be seen to be siding with GU on the matter.
“The BFA CEO must have just informed GU he has received their complaint and has referred the matter to the relevant structures for resolution. This must have been the process. These guys no longer have conscience. They are doing everything with impunity to favour Gaborone United,” the administrator said.
