Screws turn on hapless Chiefs
Kabelo Boranabi | Friday September 28, 2018 12:58
Fast-forward a decade later, tables have turned for Magosi.
The team lies 11th on the log with just three points from a possible 18, just two ahead of the bottom-placed Sankoyo Bush Bucks as they are on nine game winless run stretching from last season.
The Kgatleng giants, from the six games played, have found the back of the net in just two games, recording a barren run in four games. A disturbing record for a team accustomed to breaking the most goals per match records in their prime. The club’s manager, Clifford Mogomotsi said the team’s poor run is attributed to off field problems. He said the club is battling financial difficulties since the departure of financier, Sayeed Jamali.
“It (the situation) is pathetic and dire. It is very hard to run without a reliable sponsor. It has been hard since the departure of Jamali. We currently have a huge debt, so we have to balance between paying the debt and running the club,” he said.
Mogomotsi said the club needs around P2.3 million to run for the whole season but there has been little cash injection at the club. They rely on the Botswana Premier League grants, gate-takings and contributions from well-wishers.
“We have done a wholesome restructuring this season, in terms of the playing and technical personnel. For this season, we have brought in a relatively new team,” Mogomotsi said. “Of course we need to build a strong team, when you go to war you need to have the right arsenal. Currently the players are not motivated; we have talked to them, they understand the sorry state of the club. We have also failed the desired personnel for the coach.”
He also admitted that the club owes former players, coaches and some entities that lent them money in the past. For his part, the team’s assistant coach, Itumeleng ‘Tumie’ Duckier blamed the poor run on below par preseason training. He said the club has failed to get the right players who can compete for the league honours.
He also said the team’s dressing room lacks motivation due to the nagging financial problems.
“I do not want to dwell much in to politics, but the preseason was bad. The team ended up signing players they do not need but just because they were affordable and were available,” he said.
“Our duty as coaches is harder because we have to coach and motivate players, but it would have been much easier if the players were given their salaries on time because that becomes a motivation on its own.”
However, Mogomotsi said the team is in talks with a number of potential sponsors and investors who want to come on board and save the Chiefs’ sinking ship.
“We are in talks with a number of people, companies who want to come in and save us. The talks have been going on for a while now, but we will remain positive because it was always going to be a long process.”