Mochudi Centre Chiefs’ attacking pair of Galabgwe Moyana and Kekaetswe ‘Mara’ Moloi will join newly promoted Premier Soccer League (PSL) side Polokwane City. The South African club tied up the double swoop last week. The club, formerly known as Bay United, is renowned for their faith in Botswana’s best talents. They were previously under the stewardship of Gaborone United’s David Bright as well as Moemedi Moatlhaping, Zebras’ veteran goalkeeper Modiri Marumo who is still with the club.
The club’s scouts were in attendance during Botswana’s 2014 World Cup Qualifi er against Ethiopia to see Moyana in action, according to Chiefs’ Public Relations Offi cer, Clifford Mogomotsi. “Polokwane City’s representatives were in Botswana last week to monitor Galabgwe’s progress. They are also aware of Mara Moloi’s back to back titles as the league’s top goal scorer. The transfers have been completed, they will travel to South Africa on June 24,” said Mogomotsi. However, Moyana’s transfer to the club could be complicated since he signed an agreement with fi erce rivals Township Rollers last week. It is believed that Magosi players are playing without offi cial contracts and that Rollers took advantage of that by tying up a deal for the winger.
Moyana then signed another contract with Chiefs since Polokwane City were in need of offi cial documents proving the left winger’s allegiance to Magosi before striking a transfer deal. Gazette Sport is reliably informed that the player has since rescinded his agreement with Rollers in order to push for a move to South Africa. Last week it emerged that thebeMobile Premier League Players’ Player of the Season had signed three contracts with three different clubs. The transfer will be handled by the Botswana Football Association (BFA) since a tug of war has ensued for the talented player.
“We will take action against Rollers because we did not give them permission to talk to our player. BONGANI MALUNGA Midfi eld maestro, Dirang Moloi, is braced to make a mark in the Democratic Republic of Congo’s (DRC) Linafoot League. The former Mochudi Centre Chiefs midfi elder rejected a handful of South African based clubs before moving to wealthy side Cercle Sportif Don Bosco. Moloi told Gazette Sport that he turned down interest from Premier Soccer League (PSL) clubs such as Ajax Cape Town, Chippa United and Moroka Swallows among others. The DRC league is rated as one of the top three championships in Africa in terms of payment structures.
The country is renowned for its mineral wealth and the clubs are the highest paying teams in the continent. “I had always known that a lot of clubs were after my services but I had already made up my mind. I rejected up to seven clubs because I am eager to test myself in the DRC league. It is a new experience which I am looking forward to, the league is very competitive and the quality of football in the country is of the highest standard because of an infl ux of foreign players,” said Moloi. The highest earner in the country, Tresor Mputu of Tout Puissant Mazembe, reportedly earns in excess of US$100 000 per month. The lucrative nature of wages in the country has ensured that the league has retained its best players.
Botswana’s trio of Moloi, Jerome Ramatlhakwana and Phenyo Mongala are in line to reap the fi nancial benefi ts of the Linafoot League. CS Don Bosco is owned by the multi millionaire Katumbi family which has connections in Belgium, Dirang relishing DRC test • Turned down seven clubs before joining CS Don Bosco • Could earn a move to Belgium or France because of club connections France and Israel. Don Bosco owner, Champion Katumbi, is the son of Moise (TP Mazembe owner) who is reportedly interested in buying Israeli club Macabbi Netanya. He is also believed to be in talks to own a Belgian club.
The possible purchasing of the Israeli club along with his ownership of a Belgian club could lead to a transfer of Mazembe and CS Don Bosco’s best players to the countries. The Zebras playmaker added that a successful stint in the DRC could lead to a move to Europe. “Our owners have a lot of connections in Europe and they could sanction moves to a club they own in Belgium or even the French league since there are countless scouts from France in the league. A good impression on the fi eld could lead to overseas To Page 29 They did not follow the right procedures,” said the Magosi PRO. While Chiefs are crying foul for Rollers’ alleged ‘tapping up’ of their player, they have also moved swiftly to replace their outgoing players.
Moyana and Moloi scored a combined tally of 35 league goals to fi re the club to their second successive title; the Kgatleng giants have lined up Bonolo Frazer and Ontse Ntesa after requesting for permission to negotiate a deal with both players. Surprisingly, Chiefs are also tying up a deal for Rollers striker Onalethata Tshekiso. The burly striker scored two goals in two matches against Magosi last season. In other transfer news, Gaborone United are reportedly fi nalizing a deal for Popa’s Edwin Olerile; the Zebras leftback is nearing the end of his contract and is eager to reunite with his former under 23 coach, Bright. Godfrey Ngele could join Rollers after the club was given the green light to talk to the player