Kaelo, Systems bromance heads to Africa
Kabelo Boranabi | Saturday June 25, 2022 06:00
It was historic for the club as it was the club's first dance in the elite league since their establishment 22 years earlier.
Kaelo also had got his name into the history books, as he became the first coach to lead the team to the highest level of local club football. But the party was cut short as the team was demoted after the club had failed to pay their annual affiliation to the Botswana Football Association (BFA).
The decision saw Systems relegated to the lower leagues, but they managed to acquire Rolling Boys’ second-tier league status. Four years later after the ordeal, Systems were promoted to the top flight with Kaelo at the helm.
Despite the momentous victory, the club and the coach parted ways before he could lead the team in the Premier League. 'Wire' then took the fight to the club as he dragged Systems before the Labour Office demanding his outstanding dues, a move which soured a sweet club-coach relationship. From Systems, Kaelo had stints with Kgatleng side Sweet XI, Notwane, and Black Peril, among others.
He, however, did not enjoy the same success he did with the Alarm Boys. The club on the other hand, had its struggles on the field and survived relegation on more than one occasion while struggling to squeeze into the top eight.
It was until the 2019-2020 season, under the tutelage of Daniel ‘Chicco’ Nare that Systems had their best ever season in the top flight. Nare guided Systems to their highest ever finish, with the team placed fourth, just two points off champions, Jwaneng Galaxy. It could have gotten better for Systems but the season was cut short by the outbreak of COVID-19 with 10 rounds to play.
Nare abruptly dumped Systems for Morupule Wanderers and a search for a new coach started. The search re-united the club with their prodigal son, Kaelo in 2020, but due to COVID-19 restrictions there was no play, which meant the move never materialised. Ahead of the resumption of competitive football in 2021, Systems went back to the market in search of a head coach.
The standards were much higher as the club wanted a gaffer who could outperform the departed Nare. Kaelo’s name was once thrown into the hat alongside the late Keitumetse ‘Pio’ Paul, Philemon Makwengwe, and Rapelang ‘Raizor’ Tsatsilebe. Despite the past fights with the club, Kaelo was roped in as assistant coach while Paul got the nod for the top post.
Sadly, Paul passed on months later due to COVID-19 complications and Kaelo took over the reins. Mmegi Sport at the time was informed that it was not an easy decision to make, to appoint Kaelo as the team’s head coach as the matter had divided the club’s top brass. Kaelo wanted to take full control of the playing squad including the signing of players, something that did not sit well with the club management.
On his return, Wire took Systems to a sixth place finish but it was his heroics in the Orange FA Cup that got tongues wagging. He knocked out among others, cup favourites Township Rollers to reach the final.
Despite losing to Gaborone United in the final, Kaelo’s Systems will be competing in the next edition of the CAF Confederations Cup. The team will seek to conquer Africa for the first time.
Kaelo becomes Systems’ most successful coach in history and is expected to stay on as he nears completing his CAF A-licence, a minimum requirement to coach in CAF inter-club competitions. Systems now have a battle on their hands to keep Wire, a long-term target of BFA for the Technical Director role.