Matlhaku appointed Gunners coach as clubs ring changes

BOITUMELO KHUTSAFALO
Staff Writer | Friday August 10, 2012 00:00

 

'I can confirm that we closed the deal on Wednesday morning and we introduced the new coach to the players later that day at a training session,' the club's spokesperson, Abdul Kgengwenyane told Mmegi Sport yesterday.Matlhaku is a former Gunners' midfielder and will work with Nelson Olebile as his assistant.Kgengwenyane said the appointment came after they sat down as the committee and realised that there is need to resurrect the sleeping giant status.

'It was not the first time we approached him to guide the team. At the time of our first approach, he was still at the helm of Lobatse Stars so we could not bring him here. However after approaching him this time, we managed to reach an agreement and he has signed a two year contract,' he said. He pointed out that Matlhaku will not be put under unnecessary pressure to deliver silverware instantly. 'His mandate is to build a formidable side with a mixture of experienced players and youngsters. We cannot expect him to bring championship next season. A top four finish will be good considering that he also brings his philosophy and it does not take two days to build a formidable side,' he added.

He also revealed that the technical team led by Olebile had already identified some of the players that could beef up the squad but said they had decided not to sign the players until the appointment of a head coach who would be given the green light as to who to sign. Among other players who have been training with the team for the pas two weeks are Takudzwa Ndoro, Lesego Lubinda, Marvin Kaelo and Hillary Madzivanyika. Matlhaku will make the final decision as to which positions to fill and which players to bring in.

The club is holding its annual general meeting (AGM) this Sunday at Lobatse Civic Hall. Kgengwenyane told Mmegi Sport that the meeting was initially scheduled for July 29 but did not materialise since only few people turned up.'We then decided to call the meeting off because this is where we take major club decisions and we could not do that when only few people turned up. We decided to hold it this Sunday which most of the members are aware about of,' he said. He also said this was meant to allow members to renew their membership cards before the meeting. The chairman is expected to announce the appointment of the new coach at the AGM. 

Not only Gunners are gearing up for the new season with the appointment of a new coach. GU were the first to announce the appointment of David Bright who has replaced Philemon Makhwengwe. Makhwengwe returned to his duties at the Botswana Football Association (BFA). Now Township Rollers have also confirmed the appointment of new coach for the next two seasons. Rollers have roped in Zimbabwean coach, Darlington Dodo on a two-year deal. Dodo becomes Rollers' fourth coach in just over a year. He replaces Zambian coach, Mike Sithole who joined the team on a temporary basis in the second round of the league campaign.

Sithole had replaced Stanley Mwaanga who was also hired on a temporary basis following Wesley Mondo's departure at the end of the first round. Dodo's appointment may have surprised many especially after Sithole managed to clinch the Top 8 title with just few games in charge. Sithole took charge of Rollers at a time when the league title had already eluded them. He guided the team to the semi finals of the Coca-Cola Cup, where they were dumped out by arch-rivals, Mochudi Centre Chiefs. 'I can promise our supporters that I am here to bring results to Township Rollers. I understand that Rollers is a top team in the country. I cannot say I am new to Botswana football because we watch a lot of Botswana football in Zimbabwe and besides, I have a colleague who works here,' Dodo is quoted as saying on the club's website.

The team has not made any significant signing so far except for Lovemore Morirwa whose transfer is likely to be decided by the Players' Status Committee (PSC). BMC insist that the player belongs to them and have since sold him to Rollers while ECCO City Greens say they have a contract with him. The arrivalS of Matlhaku and Bright now bring the total number of local coaches in the Premier League to 13. Only Rollers, Nico United and Mochudi Centre Chiefs are guided by foreign coaches.