What was meant to be a major move for Orapa United strikers Onkabetse “Major” Makgantai and Thabang Sesinyi has turned into an ugly scenario. The Zebras duo is reported to be back in the country after news that both signed in foreign leagues. Makgantai was reported to have signed a two-year deal with Democratic Republic of Congo giants AS Vita while Sesinyi was said to be headed for South African ABSA Premiership minnows Baroka F.C.
Contrary to reports that the two signed contracts, Mascom Top 8 champions Orapa United have told Sunday Standard that the players were still on their books. The club has revealed that they have not received any offers from any club linked to both players. The Boteti-based Orapa United disclosed that ABSA Premiership side Platinum Stars were the only club to have inquired about the services of Makgantai this transfer period.
‘’We have been in contact with Makgantai and advised him that he is still our player and not reporting for duty is absconding from the club. Makgantai should have reported back to pre-season camp on July 18 from Baroka where it was said he was invited for trials but he has not shown up. We spoke to him this week; he is in Botswana and management is assessing the matter with urgency,” said Orapa United vice chairperson Kennekae Nkape
However, Nkape confirmed that an unidentified Zimbabwean agent had contacted the club with regards to AS Vita’s interest on Makgantai but nothing concrete had come out of it. ‘’Even this week the agent contacted us about the DRC club’s interest on the player but he is not clear about what the club wants to offer. The other factor is communication breakdown as it seems they have no one to translate hence there is no confirmation on the state of the player and he remains our property,” said Nkape.
It is said AS Vita took interest in Makgantai at the just-ended 2016 COSAFA Castle Cup that was hosted by Namibia. Featuring for the Zebras, Makgantai emerged as player of the regional tournament, netting two sprightly goals despite losing to rivals South Africa in the final.
Meanwhile, close sources have confirmed that newly promoted Baroka F.C have dumped Sesinyi after a promising start with the club during his trials. It is said Baroka’s lust for the player had faded and he has since returned to Botswana despite not officially reporting back for training with the Ostriches of Orapa.
‘’We are aware that Sesinyi is back in the country and he is our player. We have not had any offers from any club requesting for his services. Sesinyi renewed his contract with us just a few days before he left for national duty at the COSAFA challenge. It is when the tournament ended that he told us he wanted to join Baroka but we advised him that it was only wise for him to wait for an official proposal from the team before he could leave,” said Nkape.
Sunday Standard has learnt that it was discovered Baroka were no longer interested when Footballers Union Botswana (FUB) intervened between Sesinyi and Orapa United when a disagreement came about. Sources said that the player wanted an International Transfer Certificate (ITC) which Orapa could not provide citing proper channels to be followed. ‘’FUB intervened on our matter with Sesinyi after we asked the player to follow procedures but unfortunately it was realised Baroka were no longer interested hence he remains in our books. It is unacceptable for players to behave in this manner which we regard as misconduct. We can confirm that Sesinyi’s contract is left with two seasons while Makgantai signed a two-year deal with us this January from Nico United,” concluded Nkape.
