Former Bidvest Wits midfielder Ofentse Nato has been released by Township Rollers FC of the Botswana Premier League ahead of the new season.
Rollers have confirmed via a statement that they had parted ways with the former Mpumalanga Black Aces defensive midfielder.
“Ahead of the upcoming season, Ofentse Nato has been released by Township Rollers. We thank Size 10 for his immense contribution to the Popa cause since he first joined the Blues in early 2016 and wish him well,” the statement reads.
Nato, who is now aged 32, played for Wits from the year 2012 to 2014 during which time he spent the 2013 season on loan at Black Aces.
NATO’s TRACK RECORD
The former Botswana international then left South Africa for India where he was on the books of Atletico de Kolkata for the 2015 season.
The midfielder eventually returned home to rejoin Rollers on loan in 2016 before being recalled by the Indian side the same season.
Nato has now been shown the exit door alongside other players such as goalkeeper Keeagile Kgosipula and long-serving captain Maano Ditshupo.
Kgosipula had served the team as a goalkeeper since he was a youngster in 2016, according to Rollers.
“One of the players released ahead of the 2022-23 season is long-serving captain Maano Ditshupo. After ten years (2012-2022) serving the Blues, most as captain, Maano leaves as a Popa club legend,” the statement adds.
The former Botswana Premier League champions have on their books former Mamelodi Sundowns winger Mogakolodi Ngele.
The winger also played for SuperSport United, Chippa United, Platinum Stars and Black Leopards before rejoining Popa as Rollers are called affectionately.
Meanwhile, Rollers have intensified their pre-season training ahead of the kick-off of the new 2022/2023 season in Botswana.
The former domestic league champions have been busy playing friendlies, beating Lioli FC 3-1 and drawing 0-0 against Bantu FC of Lesotho.
