Rollers short-list 10 for coach�s job
Kabelo Boranabi | Friday June 16, 2017 16:05
Rollers have been in the hunt for a new coach after abruptly parting ways with former coach, Mark Harrison in January leaving assistant coach, Mogomotsi ‘Teenage’ Mpote to guide the team to their 14th league triumph. The club rolled out a second advert for the head coach position where they received more than 30 applications.
Speaking to Mmegi Sport yesterday, Rollers public relations officer, Bafana Pheto said the club is edging closer to finding a new mentor as they have cut the number to only 10 applicants. He revealed that the list includes coaches from Russia, Serbia, Portugal, Zambia and South Africa amongst others whilst the new coach will be announced before June 26.
“We want a new coach to be with us by June 26, when we start our preseason. He would need to learn his players and try out combinations before the season starts. We have short listed 10 names. There are coaches from Europe with the likes of Russia.
We will communicate with the public when we appoint our new coach,” he said. Pheto further said the club would have concluded their business in the transfer window as they are at advanced stages of negotiations with their targets.
The club is said to have agreed a three year deal with Jwaneng Galaxy full back, Thabo Leinanyane and are on the lookout for a central midfielder after missing out on Tapiwa Nyamanjiva who has been snapped by Orapa United.
Despite guiding the team to the league title, Mpote is likely to revert to the assistant coach role. He is set for a new contract as his two-year deal with the club expired on May 30. Rollers are hunting for their third coach in a space of three years, with Pheto previously admitting this might affect the team’s stability. Meanwhile, Pheto said Rollers have accepted an invitation to compete in the annual Maize Cup to be played in Klerksdorp, South Africa after missing out on the one-day tournament last year. “Our players would assemble on June 26 and would do medical check ups until July 5 where we would go for a camp in Rustenburg.
We will leave to Klerksdorp on July 13 for the tournament,” he said. Popa were knocked out in the semifinals of the 2015 edition by Platinum Stars after losing 5-4 on penalty shootouts. The teams had played to a two all draw. The Blues would learn their opponents on June 27. They would face one of Platinum Stars, Kaizer Chiefs and Bloemfontein Celtic.