Motlakase target top eight finish

THATO KALA
Correspondent | Wednesday January 13, 2010 00:00

The Palapye-based side have acquired seasoned campaigners in former Nico United and Ecco City midfielder Tony Selala, TAFIC utility player, Thalefang 'Tau' Molefe, former Extension Gunners and Police XI left-back Trevor Moiseraele, Owen Baruti from Notwane and former Jwaneng Comets duo of Jomo Bolefete and Omphile Madala. Kabo 'Fire' Mathare, David 'Lefti' Bophasitse have also joined the club from lower division sidde, Security Systems.

Motlakase coach, Madinda Ndlovu told Mmegi Sport that the acquisition of new players is a follow up to the agreement they made when he joined the club in October last year.

'When I joined them, we agreed to look for players so that we can compete in the Premier League. I can safely say we have signed all the players I asked for except one or two. We have a reasonably strong team now after acquiring these players. The only problem was that we acquired their books late in the week which was challenging in terms of putting combinations,' Ndlovu said.

The new-look Motlakase side fell 3-0 at the hands of log leaders, Township Rollers last weekend. However, the former Rollers' coach warned Popa to watch out in the return leg.

'The Rollers game gave me a good picture of what I've acquired despite the fact that I haven't worked on the right combinations. I'm happy we (now) have the mental capacity to play in the Premier League. Rollers are on a rampage but I can tell you that if the team had some time together before the game, we would have done better. They must watch out next game,' he warned. Chouka Chouka are reportedly close to roping in Ecco City Greens midfielder Master Masiku and BMC anchorman Mlamuli Phakathi.

Ndlovu also revealed that they have offloaded some of their players to accommodate the new signings.

'The players we have signed are Premier League material and they have been playing at their respective clubs. It's a matter of getting the right formula.'

The shrewd mentor added that they will use the remaining games of the first half of the season to find an ideal combination and then fight for an eighth position finish.

'I have to work and get the team to the top eight. Obviously, building a team will take time but we will get there. If we had done this exercise earlier, we could be far by now.'

Newly-signed Motlakase left-back, Moiseraele sang praises of the club's management.

'The Motlakase management is doing a good job, they are very professional and they will certainly go far. They are doing what other teams are failing to do in terms of the welfare of the players. We only trained together for three days before playing Rollers but it looked like we had been together for some time. So it's just a matter of time before we start getting results,' Moiseraele said.