Niyonzima in driver’s seat for GU role
Kabelo Boranabi | Friday November 21, 2025 06:00
He stepped up following the departure of Dimitar Pantev to Tanzanian giants, Simba SC. In just six games at the helm, the goalkeeper coach has delivered head-turning results.
GU have won five and drawn once, missing only two points from a possible 18, whilst scoring 13 goals, a tally of over two per game on average. The Reds have shown renewed attacking verve and defensive solidity.
GU managed a 3-1 away win to Sua Flamingoes before another 3-1 win against Matebele FC, whilst a 2-1 victory over Morupule Wanderers followed.
The Money Machine recorded their biggest win of the season with Niyonzima in charge as they beat Black Lions 4-0 before a 1-0 win away to Orapa United.
Their only dropped points came in a 0-0 draw with Mochudi Centre Chiefs. In the six-game period, GU have kept three clean sheets and conceded only three goals.
A loyal servant of the club with a decade of experience, Niyonzima is the longest-serving member of the current GU technical team.
Most of his career has been as a goalkeeper coach, but he also served as an assistant coach, learning under several head coaches.
He holds a CAF A coaching licence, an important qualification for GU’s ambitions in the CAF Champions League. His international experience includes working as a goalkeeper coach for his native Burundi national team.
Whilst Niyonzima makes his case through results and loyalty, the club is also reported to be in discussions with Serbian coach Nikola Kavazovic, currently at Sua Flamingoes.
Kavazovic briefly managed GU in 2019 and is reportedly eyeing a return, with Santa Green head coach Leutlwetse Tshireletso lined up as his potential assistant.
The Serbian is said to have fallen out with the Sua management and missed last weekend’s win over Morupule Wanderers.
Meanwhile, insiders indicate that Jwaneng Galaxy’s head coach, Sean Connor, was also approached for the role, but early talks reportedly failed to convince the Irishman to leave the mining town for the red lights of Gaborone.
However, with a stunning start on the bench, intimate knowledge of the club, and a record of steady improvement, Niyonzima is emerging as the standout candidate to lead GU going forward.
The situation will be closely followed as GU deliberates, but the interim coach has certainly made his case impossible to ignore.