Gabs in Premier League draught

Gaborone football supporters will have to wait a little bit longer before they can feast on the much anticipated 2017/18 BTC Premiership season. As things stand no premiership game will be played in the city for at least the next four weeks. The league is scheduled to roll into action this coming Saturday. However information reaching Sun Sport is that no game will be played in Gaborone until the 21st of October when Mochudi Centre Chiefs take on Black forest. The national stadium was extensively damaged after the infamous GIMC music festival hosted a few weeks ago.

There were reports of broken windows, chairs and pieces of small broken bottles on the pitch. In an interview this week, BPL Acting CEO Thabo Ntshinogang confirmed that one of the reasons games were taken out of the city was to ensure that the stadium is in perfect condition before playing. Asked about the readiness and safety of the stadium in the next five weeks, he said they have inspected the area and the situation looks promising however if any unforeseen circumstances arise, they will be forced to seek other alternatives. Ntshinogang also said that it should be noted that the national stadium is not only meant for hosting sports activities but many other public events, “The independence celebrations are fast approaching, that can also be another reason why the stadium will not be available to us for the first four weeks,” he said.

For his part, Botswana National Sports Commission (BNSC) CEO Falcon Sedimo said in an interview that preparations for the independence festivities are ongoing and after September 30, the stadium will be undergoing rehabilitation.He however failed to update on the current state of the national stadium saying it was better to tour the stadium rather than speaking with no visual evidence. Meanwhile the official opening of the games will be held at Francistown sports complex on Saturday afternoon where recently promoted Tafic will be testing waters against the defending champions Township Rollers.

Flamingo Santos will be walking into the lion’s den against league giants Orapa United at Itekeng Stadium while Sharps will be taking on the Lobatse based Gunners in Molepolole. Security systems will be up against BDF XI in Lobatse, Sankoyo battle it off with Jwaneng Galaxy at Maun Sports Complex whereas Gilport Lions will play against Police XI at Otse Police College. On Sunday Magosi will lock horns with Gaborone United in Molepolole while Black Forest take on Miscellaneous in Otse. All games will be played at 1500 hrs.