GAZETTE REPORTER
The Acting CEO of Botswana Premier League (BPL), Patrick Motsepe, has been tipped to take over at the troubled organisation.
Inspite of comments by the Chairman of Botswana Football League (BFL), Nicholas Zakhem, at recent media briefing in Gaborone that an unnamed South African has been recruited for the post on a non-renewable year’s contract, sources say a Motswana is being trained by Motsepe, who is South African, to take over.
“There is a certain South African individual who has experience with different clubs,” Zakhem said. “When his CV was put before the board, we all agreed. We have been negotiating with him to take over on a one-year deal and he has also agreed that he will have someone understudy him.
The post has been vacant since Solomon Romochotlhwane resigned last year.
Zakhem emphasised that the South African due to take over will also be tasked with transforming local football. “We have finalised our negotiations and are about to sign,” he said. “We shall engage the board for the final touches.”
He added that because the salary of the South African is high, the Botswana Football Association will help in that regard.
“We will have this South African man as CEO for a year and he will have a local person understudy him in order for the person to take over when the time comes.”
Sources say the board decided to appoint the former Zebras player, Motsepe, as a permanent CEO but the decision was later reversed owing to Motsepe’s alleged lack of commercial football experience.
“The board was divided over his appointment because we want someone who can come in with both football and commercial experience,” said the source. “That is why the board decided to at least allow him to learn the ropes from the incoming South African man.”
The source added that even though the entire committee is happy with the way Motsepe has been able to ensure that the league schedule runs smoothly, he will be trained by the incoming man on issues of commercialisation “to sharpen his business acumen”.
Zakhem also told the recent media briefing that all stakeholders are happy with the way Motsepe has been able to steady the ship despite challenges. “We had about 10 applications from local people who wanted the CEO post and only four were shortlisted,” he said.
“But after a thorough check, we then realised that the six rejected applicants had the same qualities and experience as the four shortlisted individuals. That is why we ended up trashing the entire process to look for our own preferred CEO.”