Vilakazi makes U-turn on BMC offer

Thato Kala | Thursday March 20, 2014 10:56

 

He said Vilakazi has decided to work on his coaching badges while playing. “He still wants to play football. He says he still wants to play so he is going back home.

While playing, he says he will acquire some coaching certificates and return in future if we still need his services,” Radijeng explained.

Last month, the club terminated Vilakazi’s contract citing poor performance. But after being cornered by the Footballers’ Union of Botswana (FUB) over unfair dismissal, BMC offered him a coaching role.

The former Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder accepted the offer that would see him start the BMC junior development programme.

However, he has now changed his mind and Radijeng said they are now negotiating with the player for a settlement fee with the Footballers’ Union of Botswana (FUB) mediating.

FUB spokesperson, Kgosana Masaseng said they are close to concluding the Vilakazi issue.

“There has been a few changes in terms of what he wants. So BMC are still finalising on his package because he will no longer take up their offer,” he said.

Vilakazi has previously said his desire is to mentor young Batswana players and an opportunity to start BMC’s junior structures had seemed a perfect platform. He has previously coached albeit on an interim basis when he took charge of Swazi Premier League team, Malanti Chiefs last year in February.

Despite the Vilakazi set-back, Radijeng has said their plans to start a development side are coming up well.

“We are consulting a few stakeholders. We are also excited about the meeting with the new Zebras coach where clubs will talk about a lot of issues.

We will use that opportunity to get help on how we can go about this,” he explained.

Club coaches were scheduled to meet Butler yesterday morning at Lekidi Centre.