Thabo Rakhale and Tshepo Matete face registration hurdles

Township Rollers are facing an uphill task to register their newly signed South African duo Thabo Rakhale and Tshepo Matete.

This comes after the Botswana Football Association implemented a restriction that prevents clubs from registering foreign players.

The BFA released an official statement insisting that local clubs can only register foreign players who have amassed more than three international caps.

This presents a hurdle for Rollers as Tshepo Matete and Thabo Rakhale, are both uncapped at international level.

The SA duo had stints in the DStv Premiership before joining Rollers in the Botswana Premier League.

Matete played for Baroka FC and Chippa United in SA’s top-flight. Meanwhile, Rakhale featured for teams such as Orlando Pirates and Sekhukhune United.

The regulation was endorsed and put into action by the BFA’s National Executive Committee of the 15th of February this year. This would later be implemented ahead of the 2023/2024 season.

The registration saga comes against the backdrop of Rollers unveiling their newly signed South African pair last week.

BOTSWANA FA’S STATEMET

A statement released by the football association’s acting Chief Executive Officer Tshepo Mphukuthi stated the following.

“This serves to inform all professional clubs that per Article 6.5.4 of Regulation on the Status and Transfer of players ‘a foreign player shall not be registered unless he has 3 or more caps in any of the national teams.’

Kindly note that the above clauses are operational this coming season (2023-2024) and will be strictly enforced.”

The latest development has yielded mixed reactions within the Botswana football fraternity with some applauding the move as a way to ensure that the league attracts internationally experienced foreign players while some believe it will derail Rollers’ preparations for the new season.

Story by Bongani Malunga

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