Football history in Botswana would be incomplete without mention of Uniao Flamengo Santos.
For years, the team has been a shining example of football development in Botswana, producing top-notch players who are now playing for various Premier League teams.
Most former Santos players have even donned the national team colours and made a huge impact.
However, the Gabane-based side has been unable to keep its best players, with the larger resourced clubs swooping down on them
Some of the players who passed through the team have even made names for themselves outside the country.
Players like Jerome Ramatlhakwana, Sekhana Koko, Bakang Moeng, Boitshoko Zikhali and even Mogakolodi Ngele passed through Santos.
Ngele is already making waves in the South African Premier League and might prove to be Botswana’s best ever export in a foreign league.
Just this past season, Santos paid a heavy price for losing their good players as they were relegated to the First Division.
The most talked about is Ayanda Molefhe who has joined pace setters, Mochudi Centre Chiefs.
However this has not dampened Santos’s spirit as they vow to make a quick return to the Premier League.
Secretary General of the team, Victor Sebolao told The Telegraph Sport that they have already identified youngsters who will help them come back.
“It is always painful to lose good players but we will keep on working hard as we have been in the past years. All good players we produced started from somewhere and already we have players that we believe will emulate those who left us,” he said. Sebolao also said they still have some experienced players who will help guide the youngsters on their quest to return back.
Currently the team is coached by their Godfather, Matshediso ‘Sexton’ Kowa, who has for many years decried lack of support for you development in the country.
