New look GU adds six new players
Spira Tlhankane | Friday August 7, 2015 14:07
The Reds signed Botlhe Rakaki from Oodi Fast XI, Katlego Keobake and Tshepo Maikano, both from Extension Gunners, Andrew Shadrack from Pandamatenga, Hendrick Moyo from Orapa United, Thato Ogopotse from BDF XI and Ghanaian defender, Godwin Bonsu.
GU welcome back Mandla Mgadla who has since resolved contractual issues with the club. Goalkeeper, Michael Pepukani has joined GU as a free agent. Namibia striker, Nicky Musambani failed to make the grade after he was rumoured to have signed a deal with GU.
Gumbo said the reason they signed six players was to improve every department in the team. “I was looking at the structure of the team and we identified our weaknesses,” he said.
Gumbo told the media briefing that their former long-serving striker Ronald Chikomo had been released to Orapa United.
“Chikomo has done his part. It was time to add fresh legs,” he said.
Besides players, GU has hired former Mochudi Centre Chiefs and Gunners coach Dragojlo ‘Drago’ Stanojlovic as technical director.
Drago will be solely responsible for technical matters and assist in the development structures. Drago will work hand in hand with Gumbo and the latter cited Drago as a good tactician who would help the team.
GU secretary general Gofamodimo Senne said while Moyo and Maikano have signed, there are unresolved issues with their former clubs.
“Orapa United and Gunners have taken their complaint to the Players Status Committee and we are just hoping everything will be solved soon,” he said. Senne said they would not use Moyo and Maikano until the Players Status Committee resolves the matter.
He said the new committee’s mandate is to bring GU together as it has lost the bulk of its supporters. “We need to resuscitate all of our branches countrywide,” he said.
Senne added that they would make GU accessible to every village in Botswana. “GU is not a Gaborone team only and we don’t want to be second to any team in terms of support,” he said.
Rapula Okaile is the chairman; Nancy Borakanelo is the treasurer while Senne is the secretary general.
Michael Mabuthe was elected public relations officer and Lobito Ncube is the marketing manager following last month’s annual general meeting.
Mabuthe and Ncube will work together and deal directly with issues concerning GU sponsors, Old Mutual.
Former GU assistant coach George Mogopodi has been deployed to the newly formed U-19 side.
Goalkeeper coach Thabo Motang will assume the role of assistant coach. GU will take on Gilport Lions on Sunday in their first game of the new season.