Diallo, Iradukunda face chop at Rollers
Kabelo Boranabi | Saturday January 15, 2022 06:00
Ochieng’s arrival means Popa now has four foreign players at their disposal, one more than the required quota. The Kenyan striker joins from South African outfit, Marumo Gallants and has one goal from his 10 Kenya national team caps. Speaking to Mmegi Sport, Rollers’ public relations officer, Bafana Pheto said the club is awaiting advice from the medical team as to which player to deregister.
The pair has been struggling with injuries since their arrival. Diallo was a key member of the squad under departed coach, Hasaan Oktay and has three goals to his name. Iradukunda on the other hand has seen playing minutes hard to come by as he was still recovering from an injury. He has three appearances for the club and all came from the bench. “We are still looking which of the two foreign players who are injured we could deregister. It is between Diallo and Bertrand, the two players are currently out with injuries.
With Diallo, he joined us from a league that is still active so he never had a break, so we believe that has led to a series of injuries. Bertrand, however, suffered an injury just after we signed him. He was with the national team at the time. We later learned that the injury needs an operation, which the player has since undergone. So at the moment we are yet to register Ochieng as we await the medical team’s advise,” Pheto said. Diallo and Iradukunda were the club’s marquee signings in the off-season alongside, Ivorian attacker Aaron Marc Dion.
Pheto said the club has prioritised the team’s attack in this transfer window. He said the club's view is that the foreign quota should be increased to five from three after the Botswana Football Association announced that clubs could register up to 40 players from 30. Ochieng is Popa’s first singing of the January transfer window. Former Masitaoka captain, Basiamisi Sebapalo has been heavily linked with the club but Pheto said the reports were just mere rumours. Meanwhile, the transfer window is in full swing as Masitaoka's long serving player, Aobakwe Radikolana has joined Security Systems after a decade long stint with Majatlhaga. Takunda Sadiki is also at Systems after leaving Gaborone United.
Sua Flamingoes has secured the services of Tiroyaone Maome and Goitseone Mponang from Mogoditshane Fighters and Calendar Stars respectively. Galabgwe Moyana has returned to Notwane after 12 years. He joins alongside veteran defender Emmanuel Nlu. Gilport Lions have raided the lower divisions as Edwin Baphare (formerly with TAFIC), Miguel Kgomo (Mogobane United) and Alphius Selefho from Rivergrass United have joined. Thero Setsile has proved an astute signing for Gaborone United, as he has a goal and an assist in two games.