Gaborone — Two new clubs have joined the beleaguered women's football league.

However, Golden Girls of Serowe and Mochudi Eastern Pirates have already felt the financial pinch of playing in a league without a sponsor. Action started last weekend with Pirates' coach, Vincent Rapoo saying that travelling expenses could be his team's undoing.

The new side got a rude awakening in its first match, going down 8-0 to Double Action while fellow debutants, Pirates lost 3-0 to Meat Girls. Rapoo said his side had underestimated the gravity of lack of a sponsor for the league.

He, however, promised that they will do everything in their power to stay in the league.

The other challenge is that most of the club's players are students. Rapoo said this has affected their training schedule because students are writing examinations at the moment. The Botswana Games, which take place in Gaborone next month, will also be disrupted by the team's preparations.

Golden Girls' coach, Gorata Maboka said although they have been hampered by financial difficulties, they decided to join the league to compete. He said that though they are still coming to grips with the demands of the league, they are feeling the financial pinch. "In our first assignment, the team had to eat fat cakes (Magwinya) the whole day. It was pathetic," he lamented.

He said despite the tough environment, the club will not give up. Maboka said they have embarked on a fundraising drive with players washing cars for a fee. Like Pirates, their aim is to build a formidable side in the debut season.

Tshepo Mphukuthi of Botswana Football Association (BFA) said the two clubs' entry is a welcome development as they will add value to the league.

He said the clubs should have a large pool of players since they are the only representatives from their respective areas.

Mphukuthi admitted that the two teams particularly the Golden Girls will have to grapple with huge travelling expenses.

He said both teams were informed that there is no sponsorship and they took the risk to join the league.

He would not say what would happen if the two fail to honour fixtures. "We will cross that bridge when we get there," he stated.