The chairperson of Lobatse Extension Gunners, Solomon Ramochotlhwane, has dismissed allegations that he has resigned from the club.
Rumours over his resignation started circulating after the team handed over its operations to Prestige Funeral Parlour, a company owned by Jimmy Kereng. Extension Gunners are currently fighting to avoid relegation from the Botswana Premier League. The club is bottom of the log table with only 13 points from 22 matches, putting them in a very difficult position as the season moves towards its final stages.
Following the announcement that Prestige Funeral Parlour would take over the running of the team, some supporters and observers believed the move meant the chairperson had stepped down from his role.
However, Ramochotlhwane has strongly rejected those claims. He said he remains the chairperson of the club and has not resigned. “I’m still the chairperson of Gunners and I’m waiting for the right time to move to the next level,” said Ramochotlhwane. When asked what he meant by “the next level,” he did not go into details but simply said it refers to his next move.
Ramochotlhwane explained that the agreement with Prestige Funeral Parlour is mainly about helping the club manage its day-to-day operations until the end of the season. He said the decision was taken in the best interest of the team as it battles to remain in the top flight.
According to him, the arrangement does not mean he has stepped aside from the club’s leadership. Instead, it is meant to bring stability during a difficult period for the team. Prestige Funeral Parlour owner Jimmy Kereng is now overseeing the operations of the club. This includes administrative duties and helping the team function smoothly as the season continues.
Despite the changes, Ramochotlhwane says he is fully supporting the new management team. “Yes, I’m supporting the management and whatever they need I’m there to help and guide,” he said.
‘Mapantsola,’ as Extension Gunners, is commonly known, is one of the historic clubs in Botswana football. The Lobatse-based side has a strong following and a proud history in local football. However, in recent years the club has struggled both on and off the field.
Financial challenges have been a major problem for the club for more than a decade. Gunners have often found it difficult to meet their financial obligations, including paying players’ salaries on time.
There have been several disputes between the club and players over unpaid wages. Some players have even left the club because of the ongoing financial issues.
Over the years, different sponsors have tried to assist the team. However, many of those partnerships have not lasted long. In some cases, sponsors were unable to meet the club’s financial demands and eventually withdrew their support. These challenges have affected the team’s stability and performance on the field.
Two seasons ago, Extension Gunners were relegated from the Premier League. The club later returned to the top flight after purchasing the Premier League status of Jwaneng Young Stars.
However, their return has not been smooth. The team is once again facing the possibility of relegation if results do not improve in the remaining matches of the season.
With only a few games left, the boys from Peleng need positive results to move out of the relegation zone. The players and technical team will be under pressure to deliver as the fight for survival intensifies.
For now, Ramochotlhwane insists he remains part of the club’s leadership and will continue to support the team during this difficult period. The focus, he says, should be on helping Gunners finish the season strongly and avoid another drop to the lower division.
