Jwaneng Galaxy FC chairman, Njabulo Gilika, has expressed confidence that his side will gain automatic promotion to the Premier League at the end of the 2014/15 First Division South campaign.
The diamond-mining town side, formerly known as Jwaneng Comets, has been campaigning in the lower ranks for almost seven seasons after they were relegated in 2008.
“Since our new name has been confirmed with the Registrar of Societies and communicated to Botswana Football Association (BFA), we can now shift our focus to taking the team to the Premier League.
After years of failing to take the team to the Premier League, we had to introspect and we realized that it was important to have one strong team in Jwaneng. I’m happy that the football community here shared the same dream. This means that we’re no longer going to fight for talent emerging from this town,” said Gilika.
He said that after failing to gain promotion at the last hurdle in the past years, they realized that there was something which they were not doing right as the administrators.
For a team to achieve big things, there is a need to have happy players, he said. “We were struggling in some aspects and I’m glad that we’ve rectified that. We’re going to ensure that our players and technical team are happy and in that way things will fall in place. We’ve also decided to strengthen our squad with experience players,” he added.
Galaxy FC shocked many people when they signed a number of players from Premier League sides.
National team vice-captain Boitumelo Mafoko (BDF XI), experienced defender Mmusa Ohilwe (Extension Gunners), Motlakase quartet of Toy Moroka, Gaobatlhomphe Tsheko, Olebogeng Malebye and Mosimanegape Ngongorego, Miscellaneous Keotshepa Omphile, Tshiamo Moreetsi and Bobby Motlhabankwe from Extension Gunners are some of the new faces at the Jwaneng side ahead of the new season which is expected to kick off on September 6.
“Our stay in the First Division has derived the people of the greater Jwaneng a chance to watch Premier League football. That has to change because we believe that with the squad we have assembled we can achieve a return to the top flight. All we need is for the people here to support the team as we push for greater things,” said the Galaxy FC boss.
On Thursday morning, the new-look side organized a breakfast meeting where they invited a number of business organizations with a view of selling their vision.
“The idea of having this gathering was to introduce ourselves to different stakeholders in Jwaneng. There are a number of companies which do business with the Jwaneng Mine and we thought it would be nice if they can also come on board to support us. Even other companies which are not doing business with the mine but are based here it was important for us to sell our vision to them,” said Gilika.
Galaxy FC head coach, Boyo Radipotsane, said he had no doubt that the coming of experienced players from the Premier League clubs would help them achieve their dream of winning the First Division South.
He said the preparations had gone well despite the fact they have not been able to get enough match practice.
“It would have been nice to play more friendly games to test the combinations. The challenge we might face is that some of these players are employed by the mine and might not be able to play all the games. But we’ll cross the bridge when we get there,” said Radipotsane.
The coach further added that they have not signed Gaborone United midfielder Tebogo Sosome despite media reports saying they have.
He said Sosome has been employed by the mine but they have not made contact with him.
Meanwhile, Galaxy FC will have a general meeting at Jwaneng Community Hall on August 26 at 5pm. The meeting is aimed at briefing the supporters about the club’s vision and what is expected from the supporters.
