Botswana Premier League (BPL) new entrants, Eleven Angels are faced with a challenge common among most teams that ply the Botswana football leagues – that of financial challenges and the difficulty in securing sponsorships.
Following their historic promotion to the premier league after walloping Mochudi Centre Chiefs 5 goals to nil in the last lap of promotional play-offs held at Francistown Council Stadium over the weekend, the management of the team has called on all stakeholders, business community and individuals in the city of Francistown to come on board and financially assist the team in order for it to succeed in their Elite League journey next season.
According to the club’s Chairperson, Tshoganetso Better said the youthful team will need more than P1 million for their transportation, accommodation and for feeding expenses in order for them to be competitive.
He said the focus now is on securing the main sponsor that will take care of transport, players’ salaries and accommodation.
Better has indicated that by next month they will be ready to start Club Licensing registration and make sure that all necessary requirements are met before the league resume. He has once again pleaded with the city of Francistown to rally behind them as it is the only team representing the City since the days of Tafic, Tasic and Ecco City Green.
The game started on a high tempo with Angels awarded a penalty in the 19th minute, which was converted by Desmond Mtokufa to make it 1-0. The penalty resulted into unrest in the stadium that caused the game to be halted for more than 35 minutes with supporters thronging in the pitch in protest of their safety.
Eleven Angels who were on a mission for the BPL next season, were on a pressing display with Mtokufa after the first goal registering his brace to make it 2-0 and Mompati Mbizo made it to the net before half time in the 33 minutes, going into the break leading 3-0.
After the break, Angels continued to put more pressure on the visitors, with Keletso Ogotseng scoring the 4th goal in the 78th minute of the game. Kgamu la Bananyana as they are affectionately called, made all things possible on the 82nd minute when Fungai Muzila scored the final goal, sealing the scoreline at 5-0.
Meanwhile, Eleven Angel’s promotion means Tafic will have another chance to play in the Debswana First Division North next season should they win in the play-offs.
In an interview, the division Secretary Sailor Gosego explained that Tafic will play with the winner from the second placed teams that will come from the stream of Kasane, Francistown, Boteti and Nhabe as well as from other stream of Tswapong, Mahalapye, Phikwe and Serowe.
He explained that the winners from each streams will automatically move into the First division north spot while the number two’s from those streams will play each other and the winner will face Tafic Football Club to decide the winner who will fill Angels place.
