Shakawe stream will this Saturday (November 19th) start the Nhabe Division One League while the remaining streams, Maun and Gumare streams are scheduled to commence the following weekend.
The stream will kick-start with The Lords Sporting Club, welcoming Fisheries Football Club at their home ground in Saoshoko Ward. Nhabe Regional Football Chairman, Norman Sebele confirmed that plans are afoot to start the league.
Sebele has however expressed concern over the responses they receive from some clubs that seem not to approve the commencement of the league as the schedule clashes with that of the World Cup.
Despite all these concerns, he said a decision has been made and all stream committees have been informed to conduct fixtures and make sure that all grounds are ready for the commencement of the league.
“Everything is ready for us to start the league because we want to finish early so that we can have time for the top 4 tournament as well as allow qualified regional play-off teams to prepare on time.
He added, “For our league to attract more sponsors and supporters, we need to introspect and align ourselves to the required standard and by doing so we will grow as a league and that starts now.”
Etsha Morning Star Head Coach, Tshepiso Semende however complained that they have not received any communication from the region nor stream committee (Gumare) regarding the commencement of the league and fixtures.
“We did not receive any communication about the league starting therefore I am worried about my boys who have not yet returned from searching for greener pastures. So should the league start this Saturday we are going to have a bit of challenge,” he told Times Sport.
Last season the club represented the region at the Debswana First Division playoffs that were held in Kasane, the Gumare Stream Champions qualified after winning against Western Dynamites (Maun stream) and Mohembo United (Shakawe stream) on a two (2) days tournament that was played at Maun Sports Complex. All eyes will be on the three teams this season to see if they will come back stronger than last season.
For his part, The Lords Sporting Club coach, Gakenaope Koloi said they are ready for the league adding that their target is to qualify for the play-off this season. The team finished in third position last season.
Meanwhile regional secretary, Maipelo Malatlhe is of the view that all the streams will not commence at the same time because of pending issues with the Maun and Gumare streams. She confirmed that the Shakawe stream will start this week while those of Maun and Gumare will commence the following week. According to her, the two stream committees have not yet sent their fixtures adding that only the Shakawe stream completed their fixtures last week and they are ready to start their matches.
“The Maun and Gumare streams are yet to meet their teams to finalise on issues regarding the league and other matters arising,” she told Times Sport.
