Green Lovers feel hard done by FUB
Koketso Kgoboge | Thursday August 3, 2017 12:08
The club said only six of the 25 players from their squad have returned for pre-season training, which resumed on Tuesday.
Coach, Othusitse Kootswele said about five of his key players including captain Rentse Keakabetse, Matthews Moruti and Tamapo Onkabetse are amongst the players who are said to be with FUB. Most of the players who left are out-of-contract.
Kootswele complained that as a development side they engage with the parents of the players and even if the players’ contracts end, they remain responsible to the parents until a point they confirm they have parted with the players.
He said the club has promoted their Under-20 side for the coming season.
He said in case the players who have left the club return, they will not be able to accommodate all of them as they have filled up most positions with the youngsters. “Just this week, one parent of the players who is also close to this team came here asking what their child is doing in Gaborone and we had no answers,” he said.
“FUB should inform us because at the end of the day if anything happens to these children, their parents will hold us responsible regardless of the contract situation.”
“We are a side that struggles to develop these children and make them the players they are. If they want greener pastures, it should be done in good faith and we will be happy to assist them. We can’t stop them.”
Kootswele said from the team that relegated, only two players; Malvin Chipunza and Bathani Masika who joined Security Systems and Calendar Stars respectively, officially left the club.
FUB secretary general, Kgosana Masaseng said the initiative only helps unattached players to find employment and the structure has been successful since inception four years ago.
“We have only Matthews Moruti from Green Lovers, but four had expressed interest and did not show up. We discuss so many issues with all our clubs and out of courtesy, we ensure we inform the clubs when we have players from their camps.”
“We work closely with all clubs and if there is a problem we call the clubs and talk. We advise that if clubs have issues they should also register their complaints so that they can be resolved amicably,” Masaseng said.