After failing to get promotion to the Be MOBILE Premier League, Mahalapye Hotspurs officials have come out strongly to apologise to their supporters. Hotspurs, commonly known as Amahot, last played in the elite league in 1995 and after some brilliant displays last season, they were favourites to make it to the Premier League. But their wheels came off towards the end of the season and they were beaten to the automatic promotion position by FC Satmos.
Their dreams of making it at a second bite was quashed by Great North Tigers (GNT) last Wednesday in Selebi-Phikwe in a game they lost 1-0. It was a heartbreaking affair for the Amahot faithful because that meant they have to wait for another season to see if they can pull it off.
In an interview with Sunday Standard, Hotspurs publicity officer, Godfrey Ranthoka, said, “I want to send our heartfelt apologies to our supporters who have been behind the team the whole season. The taxi businessmen who sacrificed their time to follow the team as far as Maun on weekends when they were supposed to be making money also deserve a special mention.”
He pointed out that as much as their supporters are disappointed, they should not lose faith in their side. He said Hotspurs has what it takes to make it to the Premier League and they would go back to the drawing board.
“We have seen where we faltered and we’ll rectify that. There are lots of politics in First Division North, which I believe also contributed to our failure to get promotion. But this is all in the name of the game,” he continued. Ranthoka challenged their supporters in Gaborone to know that they have a responsibility of contributing towards the success of their team.
He added that they have to start building for next season and introduce some young players as some of their players are aging.
Against GNT, the club’s mouthpiece believes they could have got the result they wanted but controversial refereeing from Joshua Bondo denied them the opportunity.
“I don’t want to sound like a cry baby but Bondo influenced the outcome of the game with his poor officiating. I fail to understand why he is a nominee of the Referee of the Season in the Premier League awards. At the same time, I would like to wish GNT all the best,” said a fuming Ranthoka.
Hotspurs official said that if they intend to be a force to reckon with, they have to sort out the internal problems they encountered last season. He said due to the problems they faced internally, he thought of stepping down but has since changed his mind.
“I believe there is a solution to any problem. I want to see Hotspurs getting promotion to the top league,” he said.
On the issue that some players who come from outside Mahalapye are sometimes sidelined in favour of homeboys, Ranthoka rubbished the allegations.
“I come from Dibete and played for Hotspurs. Right now, I am still part of the management. In any environment there will always be such issue but it’s not true. Our captain is from Morwa and our goalkeeper comes from Lerala and all of them have been influential in our campaign.”
Next season, Hotspurs face a stern challenge from recently relegated sides Motlakase and TASC. Other sides which are expected to be problematic are Tonota FC and Hotspurs’ neighbours BR Highlanders.
