Impressive Maposa Awaits GU
Kabelo Boranabi | Monday August 13, 2018 12:47
Shangwari, as he is affectionately called, was appointed as interim coach following the departure of Rodolfo Zapata last April.
The former GU midfielder managed to lead the Reds to a respectable fifth position after gathering six points in his five-game tenure as head coach despite the financial situation that affected the club.
Maposa GU lost once to city rivals, Township Rollers before playing to draws against then title rivals, Jwaneng Galaxy, Police XI and Extension Gunners.
Shangwari’s side collected the maximum points against relegated Gilport Lions in the last league match of the last campaign with a 2-1 win. The club legend, over the weekend, won the league curtain raiser tournament, the BTC Charity Cup beating Rollers on a penalty shootout giving his side the first silverware of the new campaign. Maposa who previously has outlined his intentions to get the Reds head coach’s job told Sport Monitor that despite his impressive efforts as interim coach he is yet to be offered the job on a full-time basis. “I am not yet appointed the head coach. I think at the moment it is too early to say anything (on the matter), but I will update you in the future. I still have to talk to the club (management) then I will let you know,” he said.
Maposa was named the BTC Charity Cup coach of the tournament after knocking out Mochudi Centre Chiefs with a 2-0 score line in the semi-finals and beating Rollers by 5-4 on a penalty shootout.
Moyagoleele are said to have been looking for a head coach since the departure of Zapata, but due to the financial constraints that the club are currently facing they are yet to appoint anyone to the position.
Meanwhile, as it is a norm for teams to try out new signings and trialists in a pre-season tournament, a couple of players raised their hands high over the weekend in the BTC Charity Cup.
GU’s Patrick Kabamba showed his class against Mochudi Centre Chiefs as he scored an opener as early as the seventh minute in his side’s 2-0 win. The attacker who can operate as a lone striker, supporting striker or on the wings gave the Magosi defenders a torrid time with his pace and position.
Fatigue seemed to have caught up with the Zambian striker who had previously won the Zambian league’s top goal scorer award with 20 goals back in 2009.
Still at GU, Ogomoditse Bauleni seemed to have settled well in his new side. The midfielder was brought in to replace Kutlwelo Mpolokang who joined Galaxy.
He combined well with skipper, Alphonse Modisaotsile, in the middle of the park and scored Rollers in the final.
Former GU defenders, Thatayaone Ditlhokwe and Jackson Lesole fitted like a glove in their first outings for Rollers. Ditlhokwe fitted like a glove as he was deployed in the centre back role for Rollers while Lesole was introduced in the second half of the final and merely put a foot wrong operating as a right full back.
He is set to replace ageing Tshepo Motlhabankwe who is approaching his retirement. At Chiefs, Koketso Mokgathitswane orchestrated all his side’s attempts at a goal, but was let down by his pass in the final third. On the downfall, new signing at Orapa United, Christian Epoupo failed to live up to expectations against Rollers in the semi-finals.
The striker arrived at the Ostriches after netting 29 goals for Dynamos in the Zimbabwean elite league, but struggled to have a shot on target against Rollers.