Gunners and Chiefs back in the Premier League?

Fallen local giants Mochudi Central Chiefs and Lobatse Extension Gunners are battling behind the scenes for a return to the top flight Premier League. The two clubs were last week said to be vying for Premier League status. The Gunners and Chiefs are said to be interested in acquiring the status of Jwaneng Young Stars and VTM FC respectively.

Young Stars are said to be willing to give up their newly acquired identity, while VTM FC recently announced that it would cease operations as a professional football entity. Both clubs are said to be willing to sell their identities.

Young Stars chairman Max Geddy confirmed in an interview that the club is willing to sell. “We are in talks with a local club and the negotiations are going well – it will depend on whether we agree or not,” he said.

“We are a commercial entity, we are not for sale. But if someone gives us a better offer, we will sell.” He said they were initially considering an offer of about P1 million, but it depends on who wants it and from which sector. “The price will depend on the nature of the person who wants to buy it. We are open-minded and we negotiate in good faith,” said Gedi.

Despite rumors that the Gunners were a potential buyer, the Young Stars chairman said he was “not in a position to comment” or “reveal who they are negotiating with.” But sources said the Gunners agreed to pay P600,000 to obtain the status. “Young Stars will remain in the First Division. They have taken the status from the Gunners,” said a reliable source.

However, Extension Gunners communications manager Ofentse Isaac Mmualefhe refuted the allegations. “It is untrue that we are in talks with Young Stars. We are not talking to anyone,” he said.

“The Gunners don’t have the funds to buy status. We will get promotion through the normal process, not by buying anyone’s status. However, if someone can come in and buy us status, we won’t say no because everyone in the Gunners family wants the team to be in the Premier League.”

Meanwhile, VTM FC owner Vincent Mafutha revealed that they have not sold the status yet but they are open to any offer. However, football experts believe that Chiefs are more likely to buy the status and gain Premier League status.