Zapata hints at GU exit
Kabelo Boranabi | Wednesday February 22, 2017 16:05
Zapata arrived at GU in January 2016, replacing Rahman Gumbo who left the club following a string of poor results.
The Argentinian was seen as the man to pull the team out of the red as he was tasked with winning some silverware for a side that last won the league in 2010. But after just a year, fans are seemingly unhappy with the coach’s style of play and have called for his head.
The coach took to Twitter on Monday stating that he may leave the club while defending his record at the club. “Anyway I’m leaving soon, some people in GU are going to be ‘happy’. Real supporters understand my job. By the way my record in GU 15-8-7, not bad at all attending to our current situation (sic),” he said on his Twitter account.
Reached for comment, the colourful tactician said his contract is coming to an end in May and has not discussed a new deal with the management. “My contract ends in May. I will have to sit down with the chairman, Rapula (Okaile) and discuss the way forward. We have 14 games so we still have a couple of months to decide on my future,” he said. Zapata said he has offers from outside the country, but is keen to stay at GU.
“I have several proposals. I love Botswana. I believe in the talent here. The players just need to keep working hard. I have been working with a lot of youngsters and they need time to develop hence why we have been inconsistent.
It is impossible to get 100% of the fans’ backing. I believe 80% are behind me and they believe in my work, while the other 20% are more into politics than football,” he commented on the criticism he receives from the fans.
Club chairman, Okaile said he was in the dark over the Argentine’s intentions to leave the club. “I spoke to him (Zapata) on Sunday. He never mentioned anything about leaving the club. He said he wants to be with the club. We told him that the next two seasons are going to be crucial as we have five seasons without winning the league,” he said.
With Zapata’s tweet suggesting he is being pushed out, Okaile admitted that there might be disagreements but he said everything is under control.
“When there are a lot of people involved in the decision making process, there may be variations and there is a need for a facilitator. That’s where I come in as the chairman,” he said.
Meanwhile, the club’s spokesperson, Ernest Mosedame has left the club, following hot on the heels of welfare manager, Ace Ruele who quit recently. Mosedame had replaced Mike Mafuthe who left the club in the off-season.
On the field, Moyagoleele have not tasted victory in the last three games.
The Reds are eighth with 23 points, 12 points adrift from log leaders, Jwaneng Galaxy. Their chances of silverware this season may be gone as they were also knocked out of the Mascom Top 8 by BDF XI in the quarterfinals.