*MARFA champions prepare for ‘gruelling’ promotional play-offs
Formed just five years ago, high-flying Mosetse FC are on an ambitious mission to secure promotion to the second-tier of domestic football.
Fresh from lifting the inaugural Makgadikgadi Regional Football Association (MARFA) league, Coach Casper Elijah’s champions now set their sights on the Northern Block Promotional Play-offs scheduled for 4th – 7th June in Kasane.
Based in the scenic village of Mosetse, some 100km west of Francistown along the Nata road, ‘Xhamma Xhuwe’ proved a formidable force this season, losing just once in 24 matches to pip Tutume Rangers to top spot by three points.
It marked a moment of redemption for the club, who consistently finished in the top four in the Francistown region in previous seasons without ever really challenging for the title.
Enter new Chairperson, Peace Tema.
In his first year at the helm, Tema guided the side to regional silverware, with his team now just five games away from a place in the First Division North (FDN).
Speaking to Voice Sport, Tema attributed the success under Coach Elijah to unity between the executive committee, technical team and supporters.
“We mapped a new direction and everyone was aligned. We sat down and identified what had been derailing our progress to the next level, and once we fixed that, there was no stopping us,” he declared.
Tema explained one of the club’s immediate priorities was appointing the right technical team, which then recruited young, hungry players who bought into the club’s vision.
“One of the first things we had to address was player welfare. Most of our players do not have a source of income, so we did our best to ensure their basic needs were taken care of to allow them to focus on football,” he told Voice Sport.
The result was a side that conceded just six times in 24 outings, while plundering 54 goals, making Motsetse the best at both ends of the pitch.
However, it will count for nothing if they come unstuck in Kasane, where the five other regional champions from the Northern Block await.
The contest features experienced campaigners, Desert Buffaloes of Mmadikola, who were the best in Boteti for the second year running, and Maun-based City Kings, who triumphed in Ngamiland.
Both are regulars in the play-offs and will be favourites to go all the way.
On the back of successful seasons, Borolong’s Ama Bradas (FRAFA), Red Stars (Okavango) and Sedudu Sporting Club of Kasane (Chobe) will all fancy their chances too.
Anticipating a gruelling tournament up north, where each side will play five games in four brutal days, Tema called on supporters to rally behind the team.
The Chairman hailed the village leadership and local business community for their unwavering support since the club was established, singling out Mosetse/Lepashe/Kutamogore Councillor, Macteen Jimane for special praise.
“He has been with us every step of the way. He is our advisor, very hands-on and a diehard supporter of the club,” said Tema.
Confirming this himself, Jimane revealed the team had initially set out a three-year plan when it was formed in 2021, but progress was later disrupted.
“We needed to do things differently, and one of the decisions we made was to ensure that all our players were based in Mosetse. We used to transport players daily from Kutamogore and Lepashe; an 82km trip, and that was not working for us,” he said, adding only two players from the current squad are based outside the village.
“This is a dream come true for the team, and I can only urge our supporters to buy club merchandise as we prepare for the Kasane trip,” he said.
The club is selling replica jerseys for P200 and tracksuits for P700.
Should Mosetse FC secure promotion, MARFA would, for the first time, have a team in both the Botswana Premier League through Sowa United and the First Division.
“This could completely change the football landscape in this region,” concluded Jimane with optimism.
