Mechanic-turned-coach motors Green Lovers to Premier League
James Kgosi | Wednesday June 3, 2015 14:08
Green Lovers beat Mogoditshane Fighters 3-2 on aggregate, in a promotion play-off to book their maiden berth in the Premier League. Thanks to Kootswele’s brains.
Like any young boy of his age, growing up, Kootswele’s favourite pastime was playing soccer. Interestingly, his lack of playing competitive football at school did not deter him from following his passion. A product of Khama Memorial School, the 47 year-old Kootswele said growing in the 70’s and 80’s, youngsters stood no chance of playing school soccer because older pupils easily outperformed them.
“Playing football for school teams was out of question for my peers because we schooled with older pupils, some of who had left school for marriage or seek employment especially in the mines,” he reminisced.
Kootswele said the only platform left for them was to play with their peers in the ward soccer tournaments. With a myriad of home teams all over Serowe, the young Kootswele found his home at Peace Makers FC. The team’s training ground was at what lies the famous chibuku depot known as ‘Kwa ga RraSekumile’ before acquiring their current ground at Makolo ward after registering in 1982. The team later metamorphosed to Green Lovers after internal bickering gave birth to Tinto Peace Lovers, a team named after one of the founders of the mother team.
Kootswele’s good showing in one of the tournaments involving the home teams did not go unnoticed and his short stay at the club saw him moving to the village’s football giants, Miscellaneous FC in 1992.
Miscellaneous FC, which was under the leadership of Bernard Kgwaneng, made use of quality players from the many home teams in the village.
The team snatched Green Lovers top players among them Spirwa Kgosiemang, Bagomotsi ‘Lusha’ Keitireng and Steemer.
The midfield maestro played alongside the likes of the speedy forward, Keikothae ‘Chamlek’ Bothoko and Dibonetse Kabelo, a brother to the late gifted goal minder Otto Kabelo, under the guidance of Zambian tactician Stanley Mwanga. Kootswele, who was the team’s captain recounts that the team relegated only to be promoted again, a status they held until they tested the Premier League a few seasons later.
Upon hanging up his soccer boots at the end of the 1997/98 season, Kootswele took over the coaching reigns of the team at a time when he had no coaching qualifications. The following season he attained BFA preliminary and intermediate coaching certificates before completing an advanced coaching course in 2000. He also did Germany’s high level coaching course instructed by Guntta Zettel.Today, Kootswele is a proud holder of CAF B and C licence coaching certificates.
Miscellaneous FC parted ways with the decorated gaffer at the end of the 2005/06 season for Mogomotsi ‘Teenage’ Mpote. A club-less Kootswele retraced his steps to Green Lovers after ditching an idea of forming a new team. He cites Kenneth Mogae as having been influential in him organising youngsters who had interest in playing football to challenge for honours in a BFA run league. “I had a meeting with the team’s elders among them Boitumelo Tinto Kedikilwe, Thotheletso Lesiapeto, Batsile Kaisara and Silver Radikwata, to take over the team for continuity sake,” he said.
The team started competing in the Central region football league after affiliating with BFA in the 2007/08 season, a journey that yielded positive results. Five years later, the team clinched the 2011/12 league title.
The team performed well as it came second to Francistown based Amakhosi FC at the Kasane held play-offs. The gaffer becomes emotional when talking about the dark spell that befell them after their promotional play-offs victory.
He said the suicide of Mpho Mokgadinyane, one of the instrumental members of the squad, dampened what was a fruitful campaign.
As if that was not enough, Kootswele said their first season in the First Division north campaign was marred by yet another loss. The team had an accident, which claimed the life of Kesego ‘Charm’ Lehoko after honouring an away game to Amakhosi FC.
“The loss of these players was a big blow to us and had it not been the support from football community, I would have quit the sport.
The visit by FIFA coordinator, Ashford Mamelodi was soothing,” he said.
Socially, an academically gifted Kootswele was not so lucky, as he could not proceed beyond the primary school leaving examination despite attaining Grade B.
The Botalaote born lad’s parent fell ill at the time he was to enroll at Swaneng Hill School. He was forced into early employment at MM garage as a petrol attendant, from 1982-1985, before his bosses enlisted him as an auto mechanic apprentice. He later worked for Mortgage garage, before leaving in 1999 to become a self-employed mechanic, the job that currently puts bread on his table.