09 Feb 2025

Amidst the euphoria of a much-improved 2024/2025 season of the FNB Premiership, which has seen the vibe return and spectators alike, questions have emerged on the competence or the lack thereof, in respect of the match officials, affectionately referred to as the “Elite Panel”.

Of late, there has been nothing to resemble “elitism” with regards the performance of some of the referees officiating in the elite league. Furthermore, there has been a notable influx of new and unknown referees, coupled with some calamitous performances at matches.

Who can forget the BDF XI and Jwaneng Galaxy match at the Lobatse Sports Complex, where upon review by the referees review committee, it was found that clear and obvious errors were made by the referees, which disadvantaged Jwaneng Galaxy.

Just recently at a match between BDF XI and Gaborone United, GU officials bayed for the referee’s blood complaining about the way he handled the match. All eyes remain firmly on the BFL administration to see what action would be taken against this error on application of the law.

Echoes of discontent have been heard across other localities where Premiership matches are played, unfortunately for them often times they are far away from the glare of mainstream media and broadcasters.

To be fair, there have been some exceptional performances by some referees this season, however it is the lack of consistency in performance, which threatens to tarnish the hard work put in to revive the fortunes of the BFL.

Botswana Football Association, referees manager, Jonti Rasetsoga said in an interview that they were aware of the isolated cases, which tend to soil the credibility of the middle men.

“It a wakeup call for us, to say something going right and it means we have to look for the root cause,” he said.

Asked whether the introduction of the new referees was contributing to the problem, he said it could be adding that whenever new referees were introduced there was a principle that ought to be followed.

“We are guided by the adaptation principle, and when the league started there was no pressure, and we saw some referees doing well at the first division and we randomly introduced them to the elite league,” he said.

However, Botswana Football League chief executive, Bennett Mamelodi conceded that the performance of match officials was not consistent, but attempted to express cautious optimism that the consistency shall return.

“We recently had a constructive and cordial meeting with the National Referees Commission (NRC), and we touched on all the pertinent issues, with a view to ensure optimal performance of the Elite Panel of Match Officials. I believe that all structures are aligned, on our expectations and those of the football loving people of Botswana are concerned,” he said.

Pressed further for his opinion on the performance of the match officials, the BFL chief was coy with his answer.

“They have to perform. That is unavoidable. And perform they shall,” concluded Mamelodi. ENDS