'Mahala' returns to action

MOGOMOTSI MOLOI
Correspondent | Tuesday September 25, 2007 00:00

 

The Hotspurs' manager proved that experience counts in soccer though his side eventually lost 3-2 to the police-dominated GNT. Surprised spectators watched as the 39-year-old custodian pulled a number of saves to deny GNT.

Everybody wanted to shake hands with him after the game. Some inquired if he has made a comeback. Motang quit competitive football in 2004 after helping Lobatse-based BMC to gain promotion to the topflight. After this, everyone thought he had retired for good, but his performance over the weekend has set tongues wagging.

The former Rollers goalkeeper was one of the best custodians Botswana has ever produced. Unlike many former players, he has not vanished from the scene, as he coached Hotspurs before becoming the manager. He told Mmegi Sport that he is back  to help the club to gain promotion to the elite league. However, he would not compete with the club's goalkeeper Segakolodi Ntime, who is still struggling with injury. He said his time is over though he is not finished and he will always stand between the posts for Amahot whenever there is need.

He said that the club has two goalkeepers but they are still young and inexperienced. 'I have two goalkeepers but I did not want to throw them into the deep end especially during games of this nature.

It would be injustice for them and we do not want to blame them unnecessarily,' Motang said. His return would motivate players and other aspiring goalkeepers countrywide. He feels that with the right material, Hotspurs would probably gain promotion to the Premier League. He lamented that a host of his age-mates and former players are doing less or nothing to help football. He noted that there are a number of activities that require experienced footballers but former players are ignoring the situation.

'It is high time we make a come back and save the situation. Every time something is not right, we, as former players, apportion blame. But before we blame anybody, we have to assess our input first,' he said. He implored reluctant former players to come on board and help upcoming ones.

He intends to start training goalkeepers in Mahalapye. He said that though goalkeeping is a crucial position, it has been neglected for a long time. He lamented that it is very rare for goalkeeper-coaches to go for training. He expressed worry that the country expects to have good goalkeepers but nothing is done to groom them.

He said he might need sponsors to finance his goalkeepers' training project. 'I would always try to get assistance where possible,' he said.