Gunners linked with SA coach amidst rebuild
Kabelo Boranabi | Friday July 11, 2025 11:00
Kgomongwe took over the reins at Gunners in February through a 15-year-long partnership, assuming 100% control of the club.
In his short stint, Kgomongwe has started house cleaning, settling debts and playing a crucial role in the team’s turnaround during the 2024–2025 mid-season. He oversaw the recruitment of key players, including forwards Sphamandla Sabelo and Kesekile Chivese, defender Mpho Kgaswane, and Bophelo Kealeboga, who joined on loan from Township Rollers.
The impact was instant as Gunners pulled themselves from the relegation pit to finish 13th. Now, attention shifts to finding a full-time head coach with just over a month until league action returns. Mike Sithole left the club mid-season, with Proper Monnawanoka stepping in temporarily before also departing towards the end of the season. Kgomongwe’s first choice, Mthunzi Ginidza, was lined up in February, but he lacked the necessary CAF A Licence to coach in the elite league.
Ginidza had previously worked with Kgomongwe at Mbabane Highlanders and was expected to lead the team’s long-term transition. Kgomongwe is now said to be considering another trusted ally in experienced South African coach Selaotse 'Sly' Mosala. Known for his rigid defensive setups, Mosala led Highlanders in the 2022 CAF Confederation Cup and has held posts at TS Sporting, Sekhukhune United, Pretoria Callies, and the now-defunct Free State Stars. 'The financier's main choice was Mthunzi. They have a bit of history and they did a splendid job together at Mbabane Highlanders. But Mthunzi does not have a CAF A licence, hence why he returned to Eswatini. But they have assessed the team and they feel it needs someone like Sly Mosala. It is not clear if there has been an approach but the new Gunners' coach will be from South Africa,' said a source.
At Saturday’s Annual General Meeting, Gunners' membership was assured of Kgomongwe’s commitment to fulfilling his 15-year deal. Representing him, France Mpedi emphasised that the financier met with the executive in June to affirm his dedication. Mpedi, alongside General Manager Simiso ‘Space’ Jele, is tasked with managing Kgomongwe’s interests and overseeing the day-to-day running of the club. Speaking at the AGM held at New Look Primary, Mpedi said the new leadership has been frustrated by media leaks and warned that such conduct tarnishes the Gunners' brand. He further called for professional conduct from players as he advised that proper channels need to be followed in the event a player shows a desire to leave. 'If a player is contracted to Gunners and they do not approach us first in an event they would want to leave, we are going to deny him that. We also do not want to hear that Gunners is destroying or stalling players' futures. Gunners are a team and it needs to be respected.” “If you talk to the media as a player and say you are owed and have the right to leave, we would never release you. You would have to come here and talk to us first, if you see a future somewhere else and if it does not work out, we would still welcome you back to Gunners. There is no media or supporters going to release players who are contracted to Gunners,' Mpedi warned.