Township Rollers has all but completed the signing of in form Zebras left-back Otlantshekela Mooketsi after BDF XI granted them permission to negotiate a deal with him. Mooketsi travelled with the rest of the Popa squad to a pre-season training camp in Rusternburg, South Africa on Sunday.
Mooketsi was spotted amongst the travelling squad donning the club’s attire before they departed. The player resigned from the Botswana Defence Force at the end of May to pave way for a move to Rollers.
BDF XI’s Public Relations Officer, Peo Keatlholetswe informed Gazette Sport that they gave Rollers permission to talk to Mooketsi and that they decided to release the player after he expressed his desire to ply his trade elsewhere. Mooketsi has moved to Rollers on a free transfer as he did not have an official contract with BDF XI Football club; he only had an official contract with BDF as an organization.
“We gave Rollers the opportunity to negotiate a deal with Mooketsi, his resignation from the Force indicated that he wanted to move so we could not stand in his way. We are aware that he is in touch with Rollers and that a deal may be near completion,” said Keatlholetswe.
The 27 -year -old left back has enjoyed an impressive season which yielded regular national team call ups and the Players’ Player of the Season accolade at the beMobile Premier League Awards earlier this month. Popa first showed their interest in the player in February when reports indicated that he would submit his resignation at BDF. Mooketsi will be battling with the likes of Pako Lekgari and Thato Bolweleng for the leftback spot next season.
Rollers could also offload highly rated winger Lovemore Murwira before the start of the season. Murwira has been in and out of the side last season due to injury and a dip in form. A reliable source has informed this publication that the player was absent from Rollers’ first pre-season camp in Jwaneng.
He has also missed the team’s trip to Rusternburg according to the source. Rumours state that the player could be offloaded or possibly be included in a swap deal to prize away either Tebogo Sembowa or Jackie Mothathego from Gaborone United.
GU has since stated its search for a winger for the new season and Murwira could be an ideal target for the club although they have not publicly declared their interest in him.