Police XI coach remains optimistic

CHIPPA LEGODIMO
Correspondent | Tuesday October 25, 2011 00:00

The former Under-20 coach, says although he cannot talk about chasing the league, he was not worried about the prospect of relegating. Mogwadi told Mmegi Sport before of his team's 1-1 draw against TAFIC at the SSKB on Saturday:

'It is like taking part in a race from Gaborone to Francistown and only start when other men are already past Mahalapye,' he said. Police XI, who fired Clever Hunda a month ago, have continued to struggle, but Mogwadi maintained that his lowly placed side was 'too good for relegation'. He noted that his team's weakest point was the goalkeeping department, saying that his young goalkeepers Edwin Mokibe and Daniel Jimmy committed some silly mistakes, which have seen The Jungle Kings surrender leads to end matches as losers on more than four occasions.

'The only time my goalkeeper performed well was when we played to a goalless draw against Great North Tigers,' said Mogwadi, emphasising his goalkeeping headaches.

However, Mogwadi said he understood that the two youngsters were in an unfortunate situation, as they had to be thrown into the deep-end after Hunda fell out with Jackson Legodi, resulting in his loan to Wonder Sporting.

Mogwadi said he had requested management to recall talented yet controversial Legodi during the January transfer window. Despite Mogwadi's assertions, Police XI have not been hitting the back of the net enough as striker David Makakaba, Richard Mwanza and Farasai Nyamunamwendo have very little to show off this season.

Although he denied that his defence was leaking it was clear against TAFIC that Ndiyapo Letsholathebe and his men are not performing well this season.

The Police XI coach claimed his team would have been among the league contenders had he arrived earlier on the scene.  'Definitely I would have been up there with the likes of Rollers and Chiefs. I arrived back at the team, but I was not head coach. I was only in charge of the last three of our last eight games. I still have the players to do the job,' Mogwadi said. Police XI still have experienced campaigners like Letsholathebe, Dennis Kaelo, Betsho Pius, Obed Mokgosi, Richard Mwanza as well as Makakaba, but they are still to gel as a team. 'Unlike other coaches I very much welcome the January break when the AFCON would be played because I would use it to get my team back into shape. I know a lot of teams would come back rusty, but we will be in camp throughout,' Mogwadi said.