Mpote walks tight rope
Kabelo Boranabi | Saturday March 5, 2022 06:00
The Ostriches were also knocked out of the CAF Confederations Cup in the first round. The poor run has put question marks over head coach, Mogomotsi ‘Teenage’ Mpote’s future at the club.
This comes a few months after the coach extended his stay at the mining town by a further two years. The team recorded a mixed bag of results, which saw Mpote slapped with a warning letter on February 11. He was suspended for six games after an emergency meeting held on February 9. “There is need to do an investigation to get to the bottom of certain issues arising from the meeting likely to be affecting the club’s performances. Lay off the head coach on a suspension for at least six games to allow investigations proper flow without interference,” the club said then. However, just a week later on February 16, the coach’s suspension was lifted.
He has missed just one match, the 1-1 draw with Mogoditshane Fighters, where assistant coach Gadimang Tiiso held the fort. Mpote could once again find himself in the melting pot following a string of poor results. Upon his return from that week-long suspension, Mpote led the Ostriches to a 1-1 draw against BDF XI, a 1-0 win over Morupule Wanderers while recording shock defeats to Security Systems and misfiring Police XI.
Out of the league's big guns, Mpote’s charges have only beaten Township Rollers as they suffered home and away defeats to GU whilst they also suffered a home 2-1 defeat to Jwaneng Galaxy in the first round.
The team is only five points from falling out of the top eight, as they are 15 points adrift of the leaders. Information reaching this publication is that pressure is piling on the coach and reports are that the club is preparing an exit package. United’s technical director, Philemon Makwengwe and Tiiso are lined up for the job. Mpote was recently appointed Zebras’ interim coach ahead of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Eritrea scheduled for later this month.