Title chasing Jaguars kick off preparations
Calistus Kolantsho | Friday February 10, 2017 11:13
Jaguars manager, Feddy Mutenheri believes his team will be a threat next season. The fixtures for the new season have been released with Jaguars opening the season against UB Rhinos.
Mmegi Sport caught up with Mutenheri during training this week where the boys were going through their paces. He said as part of preparations, they have lined up some games to test the mettle of the squad. On Saturday, Jaguars host the Zeerust side before playing Matebeleland.
“This is a build up to the new season. We decided to play clubs from outside because they are stronger than our clubs here. The idea is to lift the bar for our players so that they can be able to handle the pressure from their league opponents. We expect the visitors to give them stiffer competition than they can get here in Botswana,” he said.
Mutenheri said their aim is to win the league this year and hence they chose clubs from well known rugby playing nations.
He pointed out that last year they had a brilliant plan that crumbled at the end. He said playing in the league for the second year, they were caught between trying combinations and winning. He said they had a challenge picking up the starting line up. He noted that he had new players joining the club.
Mutenheri said, in the end, the process was filled with errors and that was a lesson.
“This year we have a stable club. We have put measures as to who joins our club. We do not want people moving in and out of the club. We should have a squad that can compete and bring results. I am hopeful that our plan this year is going to work,” Mutenheri said with confidence.
He said they have not lost players during the transfer window and they have welcomed 10 new players.
Mutenheri said the new season would see the introduction of Jaguars B Division. The club manager said they are also in the process of establishing a women’s side, which has already started training.
He said for a player to join Jaguars they have to go through some processes that include aptitude and fitness test that spans over a month and other rugby tactics that a player should have. He said after passing the tests, that is when they can be given the green light to join.
He said they do not want people to come in because they want to be part of the club only to walk away after a short period.
Regarding the league, Mutenheri said the released fixtures indicate that there are going to be more games this year.
“We are going to play more games in the Super Rugby. We are going to have a Knock Out cup that starts on March 4. Eight clubs would play in that cup, the four winners would play for a cup while the rest would play for a bowl,” he said.
Super rugby is expected to start on April 1 with the four clubs, Gaborone Hogs, Cheetahs, UB Rhinos and Jaguars playing back to back in the first half of the season. He said in the second half they would play each other four times. He pointed out if they proceed to the semi-final, they are likely to play each other five times.
“It is a good idea to give the players more game time for the love of the game. We also have few teams here. It gives our players the chance to play the sport they enjoy,” he said.
Meanwhile, Mutenheri said his club is able to keep its players happy due to the support from sponsors such as Canon Botswana, Livingstone Kolobeng College, Vincent Excellent Tours and Forkserve Botswana.
He said they are in the process of unveiling a new deal from AON Botswana, which is equipment worth P40,000.
Regarding lack of league sponsorship, Mutenheri said the union should work hard to tie a deal. He said sponsorship is necessary in assisting the union to carry out their duties and programmes. He said without it, the BRU would always remain hamstrung.