Sharps upset established order
Boitumelo Khutsafalo | Friday February 10, 2017 11:13
At the time the club was run by Sharps Electrical company. The owner of the company eventually sold it and the new owners expressed no interest in running the club hence it changed to Sharps Shooting Stars. “The club is no longer under the company but we decided to keep the name, Sharps and added the last two because the company helped make this team what it is today,” club chairperson, Molefi Molefhe said yesterday.
For many years the team campaigned in the lower division but failed to gain promotion to the Premier League. However early this season, they caught the eyes of many football lovers with their performances. With the likes of Notwane, Mogoditshane Fighters and Uniao Flamengo Santos viewed as favourites before the season started, Sharps’ five games into the season came as a surprise package.
Now 15 games into the season, the Old Naledi-based side is no longer a surprise package but a fierce opponent ready to smash any side standing in the way in their division. Notwane were seen as the last test last weekend before the first round came to an end, but Sharps once again passed with flying colours.
The intention this season seems to be nothing else but automatic promotion to the Premier League.
They roped in Monageng Thaele who was seen as surplus to requirements at Extension Gunners at the beginning of the season.
Thaele immediately brought experience and leadership qualities having captained Gunners and national Under-20 at some point in his career. Last month they brought in another experienced campaigner, Moemedi Moatlhaping as well as former Notwane winger, Langa Mabuli. The arrival of these players as expected immediately attracted reports that Sharps were in a better financial state. Former Township Rollers managing director, Somerset Gobuiwang who was instrumental in returning Rollers from the lower division was rumoured to be playing a role in Sharps’ sudden rise.
Talks of Sharps players getting better incentives also surfaced but club chairperson, Molefhe denies all the allegations. “As far as I know, Gobuiwang does not have any role here as alleged. Maybe people think since we signed the likes of Thaele and Moatlhaping, we are offering way above what others can afford. But we just approached them and asked then to assist us in our mission with nothing out of the ordinary put on the table,” he said.
Molefhe said the difference with this season’s performance as compared to others is nothing more than hard work.
He said everyone at the club is performing their roles without stepping on others spaces. “The management does what is supposed to do and the players also know what their role is. That is the difference,” he said.
With a four-point opened at the summit of the log standings, Sharps now look forward to maintaining the run.
Molefhe told Mmegi Sport yesterday that the arrival of Pio Paul would be vital in ensuring that the team keeps the momentum until the end of the season. Paul has had stints with Gunners and Mochudi Centre Chiefs last season. Against Notwane, he was seen shouting instructions from outside the pitch with Wilfred Mahaja on the bench. The club chairperson said Paul is now the head coach since Mahaja has asked to be relieved of his role as head coach because of his age. He however remains part of the technical team. “Paul knows how to motivate players and I have got no doubt that we will maintain the lead going into the last half of the season,” Molefhe said. The team has now turned the dusty ground behind the Old Naledi location as a slaughter house having collected 24 points.