Maposa returns to Chiefs' fold

TSHEPO MOLWANE
Staff Writer | Friday February 19, 2010 00:00

Maposa and ex-Chiefs' captain Pontsho Moloi were loaned to Bay United at the start of the season at the request of the club's Botswana coach, David Bright.

After the Port Elizabeth-based side failed to make it to the Premier League play-offs last weekend, Chiefs' spokesperson Clifford Mogomotsi said yesterday that talks are at an advanced stage to have the players back. 'We understand that they (Bay United) will be training until next Friday and after that, the players would return home.

' I must make it clear both Noah and Pontsho remain our players,' he said. There have been unconfirmed reports that Chiefs sold the players outright to the coastal-stream outfit. Mogomotsi has rubbished the reports.

The news would be received with applause from Chiefs' supporters who have been complaining that the goalkeeping department is the weakest link in the team. Current first-choice, Barolong 'Toldo' Lemmenyane has come under heavy criticism in recent times especially after the 3-3 draw against newly promoted Motlakase last month.

The 3-2 win over Township Rollers did not help matters as some section of supporters felt Lemmenyane conceded some silly goals, which nearly cost them the game. On the day, Rollers went to halftime leading 2-0 but Chiefs managed to mount a remarkable comeback.

'Noah's return will bring a lot of stability to our goalkeeping department and that is what we want. He is a quality goalkeeper and we will now have four good goalkeepers in our fold. Unlike what most people have been saying, I would not blame our goalkeepers alone for the goals we have conceded so far. I must make it clear that Noah would not be guaranteed a starting place because I know that our coach (Wesley Mondo) selects the players on merit,' Mogomotsi said. Maposa will compete with Lemmenyane, Mompoloki 'Wrist' Sephekolo and Gontse Tlhowe for a starting place. But given his quality, he is likely to be the first-choice.

In his absence, Magosi have already used three goalkeepers, a sure sign of inconsistency by the available talent. This is unlike their title rivals Rollers who have only used Kabelo Dambe and the youngster has been exceptional.

The news of Maposa's return means that Magosi will not be pursuing former BDF XI goalkeeper Modiri Marumo who has returned home from Egypt. 'It is true that we made contact with Marumo but with Noah coming back, there is no point of having Marumo in our camp now. I must make it clear that we never pursued Marumo outright. There is no doubt that he (Marumo) is a top goalkeeper but he has always made it clear that he would give his former club (BDF XI) first priority,' Mogomotsi said.