06 Jul 2023

Football scouting agency finds talent in Botswana

FIFA-accredited recruitment agency, Nthoiwa Sports Excellence (NSE) representative Morgan Nthoiwa says the recently ended international scouting programme in Botswana had been challenging because people were skeptical as a result of scams surrounding recruitments.

The scouting, according Nthoiwa, was meant for talent identification and sending players to compete in European clubs.

 “We didn’t come at the best time. People were not registering properly which affected the way we planned the programme,”said Nthoiwa said in an interview.

He further said the duration of the scouting programme was a bit long, further assuring that next time they would include more football games to see as many players and as many matches as possible.

“The scouting programme will be an annual drive and next year around this time we will consider recruiting women football players,” Nthoiwa said.

He was happy that Botswana Football Association (BFA) had been supportive of NSE and promised that they would keep working with them to create more opportunities for young players.

Commenting on the NSE scouting programme, BFA chief executive officer, Mfolo Mfolo said scouting was a good platform to expose talent. He said local players who plied their trade abroad were exposed to sophisticated training and state-of-the-art facilities.

“When they come back to the country they add value to our national teams hence why scouting is good,” said Mfolo. He however said players should always be protected and sign credible contracts.

Nthoiwa brought with him scouting agents from Slovakia and Czech Republic. One of them, a retired Beninese central defender for TJ Slovan Brvniste, Prince Ofori, who said Botswana had considerable talent.

“In Europe, I am fortunate enough to train kids under six years old, so I take them in when they do not even know how to kick the ball. We teach them by holding the ball for them but in Botswana you just put the ball down, they know what to do with it,” Ofori said.

The international player said they noticed three players who caught their attention in Botswana. “Of course we have to consult with our clubs about their ages as well as our observations but we noticed a lot of young players whom by next year will have improved,” he said. Ends