Tshepo Molwane
25 March 2008
Some few months ago, nobody gave Mochudi Centre Chiefs a chance to win the Mascom Premier League title. This was based on the fact that Chiefs always faltered when winning looked a mere formality.
The other reason was that second-placed Uniao Flamengo Santos, looked like they would push Magosi all the way. But with Santos having fallen out of the way, reeling behind Magosi with 19 points, things seem to have turned to reality and the trophy is heading for the Kgatleng capital. After hammering hapless Jwaneng Comets 5-1 at the National Stadium last Wednesday, Magosi have now amassed 57 points from 23 games. Chiefs remain the only unbeaten side in the Premiership and with their current form, they might set a record of finishing the Premier League without defeat. However, when every body is calling on the Premier League chiefs to hand Magosi their trophy, there is a stumbling block. Chiefs have been hauled before the Disciplinary Committee (DC) on allegations that their Under-23 striker, Kekaetswe 'Mara' Moloi is a defaulter. If proven guilty, Chiefs could forfeit vital points, which could jeopardise their title aspirations.
The young Moloi is said to have been transferred to Gaborone United (GU) during the last day of the transfer window in January. But the deal is said to have failed and Moloi returned to Magosi though his blue-book had already been given to GU. Chiefs, on the advice by the Premier League office, featured Moloi in their games against BMC, ECCO City Greens, Nico United, Extension Gunners and Township Rollers. When Rollers, BMC and Nico United lodged their protests with Botswana Football Association (BFA), they were once again advised by Premier League office not to use the player until the matter has been resolved.
This has seen Moloi frustrated as he has to watch the games from the sidelines. If Chiefs are found to have violated the rules, they stand to lose 11 points. And their star striker Jerome Ramatlhakwana is another player implicated in the matter as he will lose four goals and bring his tally on goal-scorers' chart to 10 goals.
This has left Magosi supporters who have been waiting for the league title for a long time, frustrated. If it were not for this disciplinary case, Chiefs would win the league title in their next game.
Chiefs' communications officer, Clifford Mogomotsi maintained yesterday that the league title is going to Mochudi, for the first time since their inception in 1972. "We have told the players the way we understand the issue.
We will keep going until the last game so that if anything happens, we will be safe. People will continue to talk because they do not understand the issue but we maintain that we have not done anything wrong," he told Monitor Sport. Mogomotsi added that the onus is on the three clubs - Rollers, BMC and Nico United - to prove beyond doubt that the transfer was effected. Interestingly, GU are adamant that they have never signed Moloi.
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