ence to Debswana First Division, interim club chairman, Bonno Ngwamotsoko has revoked the club’s constitutional clause to call for an emergency general gathering where key decisions will be made for the immediate and long term future plans of the club.

The meeting is slated for this weekend in Lobatse and it will be an elective gathering to determine the next executive committee members of the club. Ngwamotsoko and the former vice chairman of the club, Hennel Kaisara were some of the names mentioned to have expressed interest in leading the side.

“A special AGM can only be called when there is a crisis within the club, normally we have our AGM in July, but with the team now relegated, we want to ensure that whoever will be leading the team will have time to prepare for life in First Division. In fact, a proposition will be made for the AGM to be held in June every year; it will help the team to better prepare for the season ahead,” Ngwamotsoko said.

The interim chairman also acknowledged some of the financial challenges facing the club. Mapantsola have been banned by world football governing body, FIFA, from signing players for the next three transfer season.

This came after the club had failed to settle their debt owed to veteran Zimbabwean defender, Desire Bafana which is reported to be around P450 000. “The first step when going into the committee, is to establish the size of the club’s debts, we want to close and contain all debts linked to Gunners. We need to formulate processes which will enable the new leadership of the club to have strong mechanisms and administration that is ready to advance this club,” he said.

“We are currently in close contact with FIFA, we have even sent out a proposal to them to request a waiver of at least two months as we engage over possible solutions for Bafana’s debt. Gunners have no money but there is a need to find ways to engage all relevant stakeholders in the matter to clear this debt. We have to draft amortization plans for all those we owe to ensure that in the future we are not caught in a similar situation like the current one, most of the people are willing to work with us,” he added. He indicated that they are also planning to have fund raising activities that could help the team generate money to clear Bafana’s debt which is a priority at the moment. “To retain players in a team like Extension Gunners is not easy, most of our players are willing to remain with the team, maybe two or three players will leave. Keagile Kgosipula’s contract has elapsed, Ofentse Nato’s contract has also expired but he is willing to stay with us,” he shared. “One player who is wanted by many teams is Omphile Vissage; a lot of teams have enquired about his services but no decisions have been made yet because there is also strong interest from teams outside the country. The way the likes of Mothusi Cooper left was not right because it didn’t benefit the club in any way yet he is an amazing talent; we won’t repeat that mistake, Vissage is our treasured asset and will only leave for the right prize,” the interim chairman added. He said the sale of the midfielder could possibly help them in their efforts to significantly reduce the debt of the club. Daniel Chicco Nare has demonstrated his prowess to guide the club following a horrendous campaign of the side which saw at least four ( 4) managerial changes. Nare, despite his failure to save the side from relegation, claimed 1 nil wins against BDF X and Police XI towards the end of the season.

“The most important assignment for whoever will lead the team is to unite ‘ Ma Gunners’ and have them to trust and have faith on the team’s leadership, that is very important. For Chico, we found a ‘ Good Samaritan’ who offered to take care of the coach’s welfare, so we are hopeful we will be able to retain his services. More people are willing to help, the likes of Dr Thapelo Matsheka, who is the area MP, are willing to support this project. He is highly interested, so we need everyone close to this brand to come through and help,” he revealed.

DC TOURS after their well- documented exit out of the partnership with Mochudi Centre Chiefs, which was valued around P68 million, have been strongly linked with the Peleng giants. Ngwamotsoko did not deny nor confirm the reports but indicated that he does not rule out any possibilities for the two brands to work together.

“Not for now, we haven’t had any engagements with them, they have not shown any interest. They know Gunners, before working with Chiefs, there was a chance to also join Gunners; for now, we are not engaging but I am not ruling anything out. With quality leadership, we are not worried to work with DC TOURS, we won’t allow ourselves to fall into the trap which Chiefs got into; if there is a chance to work with DC TOURS. If someone wants to come and join the team, they will have to clearly show how they intend to work with us, and show by commitment; deposit agreed amounts into the club’s account within a given time, so with sound leadership things can work,” he concluded.