The injury meant that Kolagano sat out the Zebras’ encounters against Guinea and Kenya in the 2006 World Cup/African Nations Cup qualifiers. After three months on the sidelines, Kolagano says he is now ready to return to action.
In an interview with Mmegi Sport yesterday, Kolagano said he is feeling fit enough and is open to offers from any of the Premier League teams. He pointed out that any team interested in his services must go through his manager Benjee Nkhato.
The former Darkies skipper asserted that he will only join a team which understands his situation. “I want to return to South Africa in February and any team which is interested in me here, will have to release me,” he said.
Top of Kolagano’s list are Mochudi Centre Chiefs, Notwane and Township Rollers. He said he prefers any of the three teams because he can fit into their playing system.
“This does not mean that if other teams come with a good offer, I can’t consider it,” he said. Why not BDF XI the team he served before going south in 2001? Is there any hard feeling?
“I mentioned the three teams but like I said, I don’t mind joining any other,” he said adding tha the has a soft spot for Matebele.
The defender who has been capped 25 times believes that he needs to start playing the ball soon because he relies on what he gets from the game for a living.
He told Mmegi Sport that people should not think that he has failed to make the grade in South Africa. Kolagano said he has enjoyed his stay in South Africa as exemplified by the fact that he captained Darkies for two seasons.
“I feel very bad because when I got injured, I was expecting an offer from Silver Stars,” he said. Stars are campaigning in the South African Premier League. Unlike other players who attend trials, Kolagano was on the verge of being signed by Stars head coach Owen Da Gama.
The Zebras defender said when he got injured, he had agreed on personal terms with Stars and he was on top of his game.
He even got praises from Moroccan coach Badou Ezaki after his splendid performance against the Atlas Lions in the 2006 World Cup/African Cup of Nations qualifiers at the National Stadium on July 3.
“He is the kind of defender who can go places,” said Ezaki at the time.
When he turns up for any team locally, Kolagano said people should not expect miracles from him.
“Despite having played in South Africa, I’m just a player like any other,” he said. Kolagano said he decided to restart in the Botswana Premier League because the season has just begun.
“I need to be fit and the best way is to start here because in South Africa, they’re now concentrating on ball work,” he said.
Kolagano urged Botswana Football Association (BFA) officials to ensure that players who suffer injuries on national duty are taken care of. “Imagine, since my injury, only coach Veselin Jelusic has been checking on my progress,” he said.
