Momentum is gaining ground for the position of the Vice President (Administration) for the Botswana Football Association (BFA).
The regions across Botswana will vote for their preferred candidate next week during the BFA’s annual general meeting.
The candidates that, to date, are serious contenders are the duo of former cabinet Minister, Boyce Sebetela and businessman, Booker Bannister.
The position fell vacant after the resignation of Segolame Ramothwa about a year and half ago.
Olsen Mantle has been acting since then and battle lines seem drawn for his successor.
Interestingly lobbyists for the two candidates are best of friends who used to campaign for the same candidates. Sebetela’s campaign team is led by Fobby Radipotsane while Bannister’s is led by Maokaneng Bontshetse.
Even though Bontshetse is in denial, Sunday Standard has reliably learnt that he is running the show for Bannister.
When Sunday Standard confronted him, Bontshetse said he is on a mission to kill the warring BFA factions that have been bedeviling the association for a long time.
“I do not have a specific person that I support but what I want is peace and someone who will take our football to greater heights. That person should be the one who is not faction tainted and I am happy both candidates do not belong to factions,” he said.
Bontshetse, however, said he respects Sebetela as an individual but does not know him as a football person, compared to Bannister.
“Sebetela was a successful cabinet Minister and once served the Botswana National Sports Council, but in football we do not know him and we are wondering what it is that he is going to bring once elected into the position. We all know Bannister from the Premier League where he did wonders there,” he said.
On the other hand, Radipotsane stressed that Sebetela is someone who can do a lot for Botswana soccer taking into consideration his corporate background.
Radipotsane said Sebetela is going to emerge victorious because he has already marketed him to the regions across the country and they understand him better.
Among other things Sebetela is credited with helping to bring the Under 17 African Youth Championships to Botswana in 1997. The team ended up going for a training camp in England.
Both Radipotsane and Bontshetse are seen as strong lobbyists and their choice of candidates rarely loses.
Since they are in opposing camps, it remains to be seen as to who exactly will have the final laugh.