Orapa release senior players
Koketso Kgoboge | Tuesday July 9, 2019 16:35
The interim Zebras coach, wants to build a young squad capable of halting Township Rollers’ league dominance.
A number of senior players have been shown the door to make room for the new guns as the preseason training starts.
Mpote blamed their shortfalls in the past campaigns to the squad’s lack of endurance due to aging players.
“I am busy building a young energetic squad that would stand the test of time and win us the league,” he said.
“I have said before that I want to stop the one-team dominance in the league. To achieve that we need players with energy and endurance, players that would be here for a long time,” Mpote added.
Lemogang Maswena has left the side to join Jwaneng Galaxy, and there is the unexpected departure of midfield kingpin, Tendai Nyumasi, who still had a year left in his contract.
Olekantse Mambo is another casualty of Mpote’s rebuilding exercise. The tough defender did not feature regularly in the past season.
The club did not extend Kabo Mugabe contract with the experienced defender linked with Security Systems.
Longtime goalkeeper Kaelo Joseph who was also out of contract has also been allowed to move on after the two parties could not agree on new terms.
Omaatla Kebatho, Kobamelo Kebaikanye, Tumelo Majola, Kealeboga Molebatsi, and Tapiwa Nyamanjiva are some of the experienced campaigners left in the side.
Mpote said he would add a few young players to the squad.
The coach said he had the likes of Lawrence Ntuka who joined from Sharps Shooting Stars, Thato Seagateng from Notwane and Gape Kgaogangwe who joined from Galaxy in the past transfer window.
“We had great experienced players that have done well for the club, and we thank them. Now there is a new crop of players that I have been preparing for the first team and I believe they are ready to compete,” he said.
Orapa United has also roped in the former Sankoyo Bush Bucks coach Gadimang Tiiso to assist Mpote. Tiiso replaces Zachariah Mudzadzi who recently joined his former Ostriches boss, Thomas Trucha at Township Rollers.