Botswana Football League (BFL) is haunted by the plan to trim the teams in the elite league.
Over the weekend the special assembly of the BFL members rejected the idea of reducing teams. The idea was to reduce teams from 16 to 12.
The assembly refused the plan with contempt saying it was unprocedural. The BFL chairperson informed the assembly that they are planning to reduce the number of teams in the BFL.
According to sources, the BFL was told that the idea was from the BFA after the recommendations from EUFA and FIFA to reduce the teams.
“It was a lie. There is no such findings,” said members who attended the assembly.
They reasoned that reducing or increasing the BFL teams must come from BFL as a resolution taken during the assembly. “If BFL has never taken that decision there is no how teams can be reduced by anyone or entity that is not part of the BFL. The league has never taken that resolution,” they advanced their reasons.
They argue that the board was supposed to write to the mother body (BFA) requesting for the teams to be reduced or increased with reasons justifying such a resolution.
According to the announcement made during a press conference by BFL chief executive officer, Senzo Mbatha, by the end of the 2023/24 season four teams were to relegate from the league until 2025/26 season where they will be expected to be 12.
The assembly elected Elizabeth Mamapilo into the BFL board to fill in the vacant position that was left by Njabulo Gilika. Calendars Stars Chairperson Buzwani was nominated into the board to be first division representative.
The assembly adopted the amended constitution and also approved the 2023/2024 fixtures. The league is expected to start on the October 2023.