Chiefs aim to restore winning culture
Boitumelo Khutsafalo | Saturday October 23, 2021 06:00
Magosi are eagerly waiting for the start of their second season in the lower division. Following a failed attempt to make an immediate return to the Premier League last season, the once-dominant force in local football has promised a turnaround of fortunes. Club spokesperson, Jabu Mookodi is adamant that they have done everything needed to restore the club’s winning culture. “Where we are now, we are almost ready to start if the league was to kick-off next week. We are at about 78% of fitness level.
We were in a position to gain promotion last season unfortunately the league was ended prematurely because of COVID-19,” Mookodi said. Masitaoka were declared Debswana First Division South champions while Mogoditshane Fighters emerged victorious in the play-off. However, Mookodi said they are channelling all their energy towards bringing Chiefs back to the Premier League. “We have a fairly balanced squad, which consists of young, middle-aged and senior players.
We have also acquired the services of three foreign players, two Ivorians and one player from Zimbabwe,” he said. Chiefs roped in former Extension Gunners coach, Itumeleng Duiker a few months ago.
On top of talented youngsters, Duiker also has experience of the likes of Arnold Mampori, Khumoetsile Kufigwa and Bobby Motlhabankwe at his disposal. Tshepo Motlhabankwe is also said to be among the registered players. The club has since promised that should there be a need to further bolster the squad in the middle of the season, it will do so during the January transfer window.
The team will be involved in a one-day pre-season tournament tomorrow, which includes Mochudi Rovers, Taung Youngsters and Holy Ghost. Chiefs like many other local clubs have been struggling financially over the years, something that eventually led to their relegation. Mookodi said they are currently looking at forging partnerships that will assist them in their needs like food, transport and training. They are also hoping that the sale of new replica jerseys will help boost the club’s revenue streams. “We see light at the end of the tunnel.
There is hope for recovery,” he said.
On top of other revenue streams, the club has also been pushing the issue of turning the club into a private entity that will be able to sustain itself. Early this year, the club reached an agreement to reserve 70% of the shares to a potential investor in the Mochudi Centre Chiefs (Pty) Limited. The management also agreed that 20% will be reserved for a consortium representing the founders of the club while 10% belongs to the supporters. Mookodi said they have one or two potential suitors for the 70% shares. “Some of them were affected by COVID-19 as you know. But by the end of the year, December to be precise, we will be able to say something concrete,” he said.
He said they had to come up with a tailored model that would best suit their needs. Meanwhile, Mookodi said they have not yet managed to replace former vice-chairperson, Olebile Sikwane who quit his position recently. “He was a very knowledgeable person who understands football. We hope that he will return to the club sometime in the future when he gets the chance.
We are yet to replace him because like I said, we are currently channelling all our energy towards preparing the team so that it returns to the Premier League,” Mookodi said.