Remember those days when Notwane used to terrorise their opponents with some fluid passing and huge appetite for goals?
It was in 90s when “Toronto” was under the tutelage of Zimbabwean tactician Paul Moyo and the late Banks Panene.
That remains part of history because since 1998, Notwane has failed to lift the country’s elite league title.
Since the olden days of strikers Thazo ‘Careca’ Tiwayi, the late Shono ‘Madonsela’ Ngaka, Maitumelo ‘Mighty’ Modikana, Robo Khonzaphi and Maano ‘Rubberman’ Mbaakanyi, Notwane have never had a lethal striker who bangs in goals with ease.
Before then, who can forget the scoring exploits of Brown ‘King Goals’ Gasemotho?
In the midfield, Toronto boasted of the likes of Fabian Zulu, Maybin Chama, Innocent Ranku, the list is endless. Those were the names which used to bring happiness to Notwane Football Club.
At the time when Notwane was a headache for the opposition, they had the best manager in Phillip Makgalemele. Those close to Toronto at the time when Makgalemele was in charge say he sacrificed everything for the love of the team. Even the committee which surrounded Makgalemele was said to be the best at the time.
In recent years, Notwane have been able to produce star players but these were snapped up by other sides with better financial muscle.
The Moloi brothers, Pontsho and Dirang, Galabgwe Moyana, Gobonyeone ‘Shoes’ Selefa and Mpoeleng ‘Stopper’ Mpoeleng are some of the key figures who have left Toronto for better paying clubs in recent years.
This season, Notwane finished with 36 points, a disappointing 11th spot, something which has been alluded to the fact that there was inconsistency in the technical team before they settled for Zambian tactician Mike Sithole. The other problem, which has been pointed out is that Notwane still owe their players monthly salaries, which means there is huge unhappiness inside their camp.
According to sources, when the season resumes, Notwane will once again lose some of their star players who are wanted by Mochudi Centre Chiefs, Township Rollers and Gaborone United.
Apart from the points raised, Notwane still lacks the flair they used to display in the past. Losing players every season is something which many commentators believe has led to Notwane’s downfall over the years.
“When was the last time you heard that Notwane are competing for a top player,” asked an inside source.
Internal politics is the other stumbling block in the progress of Notwane. Notwane’s spokesperson, Andrew Mokgatlhane, told Sunday Standard that they have been struggling to compete with the other sides because Toronto have not been able to hold onto their star players in recent times. He pointed out that while they have been able to produce big name players from their youth development since the late 90s, Notwane committed a mistake by not looking at how to keep such players when the demand is high.
“The recent signing of contracts has helped a lot because we’re able to hold onto some of these young players,” he said.
Mokgatlhane said that when they won the then Super League in 1998, Notwane were consistent in the technical team with Paul Moyo having been in charge for almost four years. He said that, of late, they have a wrong trend of chopping coaches whenever they want something which has come back to haunt the team. 
The spokesperson is hopeful that, going forward as they try to redeem the pride of Toronto, they intend to keep coach Sithole for some time. At the present moment, according to Mokgatlhane, it seems Sithole is willing to stay put and build a strong side.
On the issue of not competing in the market for players, Mokgatlhane responded, “It’s true we’ve lacked balance in certain departments but we could not afford some of the players we wanted.”
He admitted that they might lose some players in the coming season but quashed reports that they always stand in the way of the players. He said that at Notwane, they are against club administrators who use underhand tactics to recruit their players.
The spokesperson said they respect a side which uses the right procedures like was the case when Pontsho Moloi, Selefa, Mpoeleng and Moyana left for Mochudi Centre Chiefs. 
Mokgatlhane further warned that having the best players is not a solution, adding that it is also important to have a sound committee which would ensure that the daily running of the club goes smoothly.
“The instability of Notwane management recently has not helped our situation. I’m against the issue of people saying that being in committees they’re volunteering because I believe when you make a decision, you should be in a position whereby you know that you’re going serve the club wholeheartedly,” he said.
He added that football is changing almost every day, something which means that even the leaders should be up to it. With the game more demanding, he said that it is important for clubs to be turned into a business entity because he believes in that way, they will be able to attract sponsors. “The problem we have in football, which at times I believe chases potential sponsors, is accountability not only on finances,” he said.
In 2009, Notwane’s management addressed supporters in Mahalapye where it was decided that it is important to run the team as a business. The decision was further given a green light last year and, as it seems, implementation remains the only thing.
