Reports of a possible Siwelele departure after three league appearances revive the troubled history of several Botswana footballers’ short South African spells.
BONGANI MALUNGA
Goitseone Phoko could become the latest Botswana international whose South African career ends after fewer than six league appearances.
Reports in South Africa suggest Phoko and Siwelele FC are negotiating a mutual separation barely four months after the 31-year-old goalkeeper joined the Betway Premiership club on a two-year contract.
Phoko started Siwelele’s first three league matches against TS Galaxy, Milford FC and AmaZulu in August, conceding five goals. He has not played another league minute since.
Keeper Competition
Phoko joined under coach Lehlohonolo Seema, who subsequently left the first-team role.
Competition intensified when Siwelele signed Wandile Mthombeni and added Jody February on loan from Mamelodi Sundowns. Reports suggest Phoko consequently slipped down the goalkeeping pecking order.
Three Games
Kekaetswe “Mara” Moloi joined Polokwane City from Mochudi Centre Chiefs in 2013 after making his name as a Botswana goalscorer. His PSL career lasted three league appearances and produced one goal before his release in January 2014.
Moloi’s stay coincided with managerial upheaval. Duncan Lechesa, who had taken Polokwane into the Premiership, left in September 2013. Boebie Solomons took charge in October.
Ntesang “Mirror” Simanyana joined Polokwane in 2013 after impressing at trials but made only one league appearance. He signed for Gaborone United during the 2013/14 campaign, also having experienced the change from Lechesa to Solomons.
Chippa Turbulence
Five years later, Thatayaone Kgamanyane and Kabelo Seakanyeng joined Chippa United from Gaborone United on three-year contracts. Kgamanyane made two league appearances and scored once; Seakanyeng played three times. Their arrival coincided with another coaching shake-up: Dan Malesela was dismissed three matches into 2018/19 and replaced by Eric Tinkler.
Coaching changes were not the only factor. Chippa released 13 players in January 2019. Their former agent, Olebile Sikwane, told Gazette Sport at the time that the Botswana pair’s exit was largely driven by financial pressure on a club in business rescue, rather than their ability.
No Appearances
Goalkeeper Mwampule Masule joined Chippa from Township Rollers in January 2019 but was released within six months without making an official appearance. Reports cited fitness concerns, while Mbongeni Mzimela had become first-choice goalkeeper.
Recurring Pattern
Defender Benson Kitso Mangolo joined Richards Bay ahead of 2025/26 but made only two appearances before leaving during a January 2026 restructuring. He returned to Mochudi Centre Chiefs.
Phoko’s situation echoes those abbreviated spells, although his proposed separation has not been confirmed. The circumstances have ranged from coaching changes to financial and fitness concerns.