Phillip Charles dispelled reports that the club’s management is divided over the appointment of Nare, a former BMC coach, who is back to replace Zimbabwean Lovemore Nyabeze. Information reaching Mmegi Sport indicates that some committee members and supporters want a coach from outside Lobatse. Nare is rejoining BMC from another Lobatse side, Extension Gunners.
He left BMC unceremoniously towards the end of 2003 after the current committee sent him packing and hired Nyabeze, though the feeling was that he was doing well. Speaking to Mmegi Sport in a telephone interview yesterday, Charles said: “Chicco has my full support and the entire committee is happy to have him back. If there are some people within my committee who are against his appointment, then I don’t know. In football, you cannot expect to be loved by all people.”
Charles asserted that if there are some people lobbying against the appointment of Nare, then it is a disgrace. The BMC chairman said that he has always had confidence in the coach and hopes that Nare will take the team to greater heights. “His record with us speaks for itself and I’m positive that we’ll return from our weekend’s game away to ECCO with better results,” he said.
Charles added that Nare knows the culture of the team. The two sides are yet to sign a contract as they are still in negotiations. But it is understood that the coach has told the management that he wants a longer contract.
A long time BMC supporter who preferred anonymity told Mmegi Sport that he is disappointed by the way the management has handled the matter of appointing the coach.
He said they were not against the appointment of Nare but expected the management to let them know what is happening since they have been together in the hunt for Nyabeze’s successor.
“What is disturbing is that the same men who claim to have confidence in “Chicco” were the ones who sacked him last time,” he charged. The supporter asserted that they are concerned about the offer given to Nare.
“The offer is not good compared to that of Nyabeze,” he said.
At the time of going to press, BMC supporters were locked in a meeting to discuss the issue of the coach. Sources say the supporters are to recommend to the management to get a Motswana coach from outside Lobatse. “Chicco recruited our players when he was away and he’ll also take some when he leaves. This is not doing us any good,” a source said.
Tempers were expected to flare at the meeting, especially with the fact that some supporters felt that Charles and manager, Joe Moakofi’s time at BMC is over since they have failed the team. The meeting was meant to discuss divisions in the committee.
For his part, Nare said he was happy to be back with the team since the offer they have given him is good. Though he left BMC in 2003 under acrimonious circumstances, Nare said he has learnt not to keep grudges.
“I was encouraged to come back by the fact that the last time I was here, I had a good time,” he said. In 2003, Nare guided the team to the finals of the then World Group Independence Cup. Though BMC lost 2-1 to Notwane, they left a lasting impression as they gave their more superior opponents a hard time. Nare said he has put his cards on the table to the management and he was hoping that they will attend to his needs.
