Agencies of teams playing in the Botswana Premier League will reportedly visit the ongoing Shakawe Stream Football Tournament in search for potential players ahead of the 2022/23 season expected to resume in August this year.
This was revealed by the tournament’s Patron, Ookeditse Malesu who indicated that some of the teams that have shown interest include Police XI and Security Systems. He added that more of the agencies from Botswana and South Africa are expected in Shakawe especially at the finals billed for July 16th – 17th.
Malesu also indicated that the first division teams have also shown interest in the scouting process at the tournament, a good development for local football and individual players’ growth.
Security System Public Relation Officer, City Senne has since confirmed that they will be in Shakawe to scout for players. Senne acknowledged that there is talent in the area noting that he once worked at Popagano CJSS and knows the quality and talent that the area possess.
“Because of these players I managed to win against all team in the region and at national level during schools’ games,” he stressed.
As the club prepares for the off-season, Senne said it will be a boost to get two or three players from the Shakawe stream, particularly the defense and strikers.
Meanwhile Sankoyo Bush Bucks Head Coach Atony Timothy applauded that the tournament is a good platform not only for scouting but also for the development and exposure of young players in the area.
Timothy, from Mohembo indicated that Shakawe and surrounding areas have vast talent, not only in football, but other sporting codes like athletics, volleyball and netball to mention a few.
“If one needs a quality defender, goalkeeper and a striker, Shakawe stream tourney is the place to search for such players since there is quality players in that region,” he advised.
He believes if the tournament sustains for a longer period and bring more developments like Stadium or Complex in Shakawe with big companies investing in it, then the region can produce more good and quality players to the main stream football and the national teams alike.
Furthermore, Etsha Morning Stars Coach, Tshepiso Semende said the tourney has come at a right time when they need to boost their squad for their next season as they are looking forward to play in the Debswana First Division next season.
Semende revealed that they will be in Shakawe to look for at least three players to boost their defense and striking force towards their 2022/23 season. The club will represent Nhabe Region in Kasane on the 15th -17th July 2022 against Boteti, Francistown and Serowe.
The Shakawe Stream Football Tournament started on the 2nd – 3rd July, with the women football games seeing Okavango Soccer Club beating Samochima United 2-1 and Ndundu Young Fighters losing to Mohembo United by 2 goals to nil on semi-finals.
The finals, will pit Mohembo United against Okavango Soccer Club while Ndundu YF and Samochima United will settle for the losers’ finals. The winner of the ladies teams will walk away with P5000 and a trophy. The finals will be played in the second weekend of July on the 9th and the men’s games will then resume.
