Gaborone United (GU) secretary, Herbert Letsebe, is confident that his side will give a good account of themselves in the 2013/14 Premier League season, which is expected to kick off on August 24.
GU travel to Palapye Swallows Ground for a tricky fixture against Motlakase in the opening weekend of the season. Though GU won the Mascom Top 8, they finished on the fourth spot in the league the previous season, something which disappointed their supporters considering the quality in their squad.
Letsebe has hinted in recent weeks that their intention is to push for the league honours but he is aware that it is not going to be easy.
“Our preparations have been going on well though we had problems with the fact most of our players have been in the national team camp. This has hampered the coach (David Bright)’s plans. But I have no doubt that he has made plans to accommodate them when they come back this week. By the time we play Miscellaneous the team will be in good shape,” said Letsebe on Monday morning.
The Reds had seven players in the Zebras’ squad which lost 2-0 to Zambia in the CHAN qualifier on Saturday afternoon at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola. The players were goalkeeper Noah Maposa, Gaopatwe Seosenyeng, Alphonse Modisaotsile, Edwin Olerile, Moemedi Moatlhaping, Tebogo Sembowa and Jackie Mothatego.
“It was unfair to us hence we took the matter with BFA (Botswana Football Association) but they threatened us with a certain article. Just imagine a player like Olerile has never been to our training ground ever since we signed him (last month) due to national team commitments,” he said.
GU have been engaged in a number of pre-season friendly games which coach Bright has been using to gauge his side.
This weekend, GU are expected to take on South African First Division side Black Leopards at a venue to be confirmed. Unfortunately for GU supporters their side will not take part in the prestigious Kabelano Charity Cup on August 17 at Lobatse Stadium. The one day soccer spectacle will see Mochudi Centre Chiefs, Extension Gunners, Nico United and Township Rollers.
“The reason why we are not part of Kabelano is because of boardroom politics but we have explained everything to our supporters at our special general meeting at the weekend. We know our supporters would have loved to see GU taking part but it is something beyond our control,” Letsebe pointed out.
