Botswana Football Association (BFA) 2023 Awards are set for October 7th, 2023 in Gaborone and the Confederation of African Football (CAF) president, Patrice Motsepe is scheduled to be the guest speaker.
This year’s awards comprise of group and individual categories and Times Sport reporter, Jayson Samokunda looks at some nominees for the Men’s Footballer of the Year category: Thatayaone Ditlhokwe, Tumisang Orebonye, Gape Mohutsiwa, Mothusi Cooper, Kabelo Seakanyeng and Lebogang Ditsele.
Starting with the Jwaneng Galaxy striker, Thabang Sesinyi who had the best season previously in the local football scoring more than 15 goals. He was top goal scorer back-to-back in 2021/22 season and 2022/23 season. His club has won a league cup last season and qualified for the CAF champions league and have proceeded to the second round of the competition.
Second is the former Township Rollers defender, Thatayaone Ditlhokwe who is also the national team captain. He played a pivotal role in the national senior team for some time now and he has represented the country outside, playing for Supersport United and now Kaizer Chiefs.
Ditlhokwe is the only player who has been consistent for the past 3 years both at club level (SuperSport United) and national team. He won a good number of man of the match awards in the DSTV premiership with United and now continues with Chiefs, a sign that he is one of the best in the game.
Another nominee is Kabelo Seakanyeng, whose contribution in the national team has been outstanding and positive even though team only managed 4 points from 6 games in group J. Seakanyeng, who plays at the Botola Pro League in Morocco has however not been playing for a long time in August 2022 after loaned to a club in UAE and he could not break into the first team and spent most of the time as an unused substitute.
Another promising forward for the senior national team, Tumisang Orebonye – also known as Teenage in the football circle, has won his first ever CAF medal with USM Alger in Algeria in the CAF Confederation Cup with the team that he joined at the group stages of the tournament. Representing the country internationally, Orebonye continues to improve and look very sharp after moving to Algeria and his potential has no ceiling.
The versatile Gaborone United defender, Leboga Ditsele – is one of the pivotal midfielders in the country and he had helped the national team at the COSAFA games and helped GU win the Orange FA Cup and he is doing well in the CAF Confederation Cup games.
Last, but not least is Mothusi Cooper, one of the few local players who had a fantastic season and went on to win a couple of man of the match awards in the FA Cup and helped his team defend FA Cup where he was awarded as player of the tournament. Despite being dropped from the National Team against Libya for reporting late in the camp, his performance at the national team and club has always been impressive.
Other interesting awards to look out for is the Women’s Footballer of the Year and the nominees are, Sedilame Bosija (Mamelodi Sundowns), Laone Moloi (Security Systems), Lone Gaefetoge (Gaborone United), Mokgabo Thanda (Yasa FC, Zambia), Lesego Radiakanyo (Double Action) and Keitumetse Dithebe from Gaborone United.
Coach of the Year with nominees being Seemo Mpatane of Eleven Angels, Pontsho Moloi of Gaborone United, Mandla Mpofu of Masitaoka and Morena Ramoreboli of Jwaneng Galaxy.
Team of the Year award has Matebele FC, and Tafic for men’s category while for women the nominees are Maun based Western Dynamites, Double Action, Gaborone United and Granada FC.
