Galaxy And Orapa Tussle Over Player Signature

Botswana giants Jwaneng Galaxy and Orapa United are embroiled in a tussle over the signature of former Baroka FC marksman, Onkabetse Makgantai.

The striker, initially on Galaxy’s radar, was bound for the Ostriches after Orapa followed through to sign him when Galaxy shelved their initial intentions.

However, according to a reliable source before Orapa agreement with the player became a done deal, rivals Galaxy threw themselves into the fray once more this time with a more lucrative offer to the player prompting the seemingly undecided striker to seek an agent to engage the two clubs.

An official from Galaxy who requested not to be quoted insists that they have already signed the player and even paid his first salary.

“Earlier this month, Makgantai signed, and we couldn’t believe it when we heard Orapa rumours. We will discuss and act on it. Even Baroka are aware that the player was coming here,” the official told Ducor Sports on Monday.

But Orapa’s Public Relations Officer Kabo William hit back and accused Galaxy of committing an illegality by approaching a player who has a contract with another club.

[perfectpullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””] “Makgantai is our player. He has been training with us and we have been in touch with Baroka FC as well. They informed us first when they released him. He signed a pre-contract with us.”   [/perfectpullquote]

Attempts to reach the former AS Vita and Nico United player were futile. Ducor Sports has, however, learnt that the Orapa deal was masterminded by a former trainer who personally knows him, having worked together in their home country.

This development is one of a kind in the African leagues save for Tanzanian giants Simba SC and Yanga SC. A few years ago, a similar incident was however witnessed in the English Premier League (EPL) when Chelsea was accused of tapping Brazilian winger Willian da Silva after the player had passed his medicals at Tottenham Hotspurs.