'Depleted' Gunners begin life without star players

FREDERICK KEBADIRETSE
Staff Writer | Tuesday August 28, 2012 00:00

 

 Mmipi completed a move to BDF XI last Thursday, while Ditshupo joined Township Rollers as a free agent. Mmegi Sport paid a visit to the club's  training session at their training ground in Peleng Township last week.

Putting the boys through some vigorous physical routines was assistant coach Nelson Olebile, while recently signed coach Odirile Matlhaku was still engaged in some sports development project in the town. Olebile said the team was already hitting good form and was optimistic they will be able to fine-tune before the 2012/2013 league season begins.

He said the team started pre-season training three weeks ago and had played some friendly matches in Hukuntsi where the technical team managed to gauge their strengths and weaknesses.  'We have been involved in a lot of physical work, but as they improve we are bringing in some ball work and tactics.

Our hope is that they will be in fine shape for the new season,' he said. Olebile said the squad still needs some strengthening and they hope not to lose any more players. He was referring to goalkeeper Raphael Nthwane, who left to join cross-town rivals, BMC at the expiry of his contract.  Meanwhile, spokesperson, Abdul Kgengwenyane says the club has completed the signing of goalkeeper Takudzwa Ndoro from BMC and centre back Desire Bafana from Notwane. The club has also signed winger Marvin Kaelo from TAFIC. Another acquisition is Katlego Koobake who joins from Mokgosi Young Fighters. Kgengwenyane said the technical team is also assessing a Zimbabwean striker.

Gunners are also talking to another goalkeeper to bolster the department as Kagiso Rankabekwa is still nursing an injury.  The former glamour club has been dodged by financial difficulties in recent years thus being unable to attract top talent or retain key players.

They lost two good youngsters, Kgololo Leteane and Hendrick Moyo to Gaborone United (GU) and BMC respectively in the past season and failed to finish in the top eight last season.

The two played an important part when the club won the 2010/2011 Coca-Cola Cup, their first silverware in many years. The club is contemplating privatisation in a bid to end its financial woes. In another development, the club is expected to announce a technical sponsorship deal with All-Kasi sometimes this week.