In an interview with Mmegi Sport on Monday, BFA Acting CEO Losika Keatlholetswe said the National Executive Committee (NEC) appointed Michael “Spokes” Gaborone as team coach and Tlhagiso Sethibe as assistant coach. “What I know is that the coach is with the team in Jwaneng at the moment,” said Keatlholetswe.
The team, which is preparing for the 2005 African Youth Championship qualifiers went into camp last Friday. However by yesterday, both Gaborone and Sethibe had not shown up in Jwaneng and the team was under the guidance of BFA technical officer Philemon Makwengwe.
According to a source within the camp, Sethibe allegedly told the NEC that he is not interested in working with the team while Gaborone was still expected to join the team anytime this week.
The source further said that Gaborone might also not make it due to work commitments.
“The situation is bad and these boys need proper coaching before the upcoming encounter,” the source said. He blamed the BFA for paying little attention to youth development.
Meanwhile the BFA is said to have approached Oris Radipotsane and Banks Panene this week in a bid to lure them to help in preparations for the game but their efforts were fruitless.
Panene allegedly told the BFA that he is still focussed on his job at Township Rollers while Radipotsane is expected to leave for Europe this week.
Speaking to Mmegi Sport team manager Charity Madisa said they were still expecting the coaches to report for camp.
He further advised the parents of the children in camp not to worry since they have been attached to Jwaneng schools to attend lessons on a fulltime basis.
“We’ve got their interests at heart hence we’ve arranged for them to school here while in camp,” he said.
The Young Zebras are scheduled to play Lesotho in a two-legged match next month with the first game coming to Gaborone on June 25. The return leg will be in Maseru two weeks later.
Meanwhile the Under 20s who are under the tutelage of Sthando Mogwadi left for Orapa on Monday to prepare for their upcoming 14th African Youth Championships qualifier against Angola on July 17 in Luanda with the return leg coming here two weeks later.
The Under 20s play Angola after beating Namibia 5-0 on aggregate. Those players who are still schooling have been attached to Orapa schools.
