Uncertainty hovers over football resumption

Confusion reigns supreme in the Botswana football world as contradictory information swirls about the suspension of BFL Chairman, Nicholas Zakhem.

While the BFL has not confirmed or denied the suspension, the shareholders' contact person, Godfrey Ratlhaga, has stated that Zakhem has been suspended by the board.

Amid all the confusion, Zakhem has made it clear that he is still the chairman of the BFL, at least until the end of the season. This raises even more questions about the BFL and its inner workings.

Following a December BFL Shareholders meeting in Palapye, where the shareholders voted to replace Zakhem with Godfrey Ratlhaga, the BFA and Zakhem denounced the meeting as illegal.

In response, the shareholders have announced that they will not play league matches, while Zakhem has reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring that the games go ahead as planned. This ongoing power struggle threatens to disrupt the Botswana football season.

In an interview with BG Sport on Wednesday, BFL Chairman Zakhem stated that the BFL does not have the authority to suspend him. He believes that the meeting was not properly convened. He emphasized that he remains the Chairman of the BFL and has no intention of stepping down until his mandate has been completed.

'The people that convened the illegal meeting have no authority to suspend anyone. They simply do not have the power or jurisdiction to do so. It's clear that their intention is to disrupt and destroy football. I'm the legitimate Chairman of the BFL and I will not step down until my mandate is complete. This is not just about me, but about the future of football in Botswana. I will not let them derail our progress,” Zakhem said.

“I want to make it clear that I'm still the Chairman of the BFL and I will continue to lead the board and the organization until the end of the season in July. I will not be deterred by this latest attempt to undermine my authority and I will be in the BFL offices to ensure that the games scheduled for this Friday and Saturday go ahead as planned. I'm not going anywhere,” he added.

The Botswana Football League (BFL) shareholders/clubs have been on a mission to remove the Chairman from his position, citing dissatisfaction with his leadership. In a series of meetings, the clubs have agreed to vote for a new replacement. However, it has come to light that their resolutions are not legally binding and are therefore not adopted. This has caused further confusion and uncertainty within the BFL leadership.

Godfrey Ratlhaga, the BFL shareholders' contact person and the proposed new Chairman, told this publication that they will attend the meeting scheduled for Wednesday evening. However, they maintain their position that Zakhem is not welcome on the board and they will not play matches if he remains. This ultimatum has caused a great deal of tension and uncertainty within the BFL.

“We don't expect anything to change at the meeting. Our intention is to communicate our position clearly to the Botswana Football Association, in case they have not understood it already. We are hoping to reach a resolution.

All I can confirm is that the BFL board has suspended Zakhem,” He said.