Magosi give up on 'Pepe'

TSHEPO MOLWANE
Staff Writer | Thursday August 9, 2007 00:00

 

Chiefs' publicity officer Clifford Mogomotsi told Mmegi Sport yesterday that they are fed up with Balepi's antics. It is said this is not the first time that the Rollers' star has agreed terms with Chiefs and then changed his mind at the eleventh hour. 'Pepe has made it clear that he wants to return to Rollers and I can confirm that we'll no longer pursue him. At Chiefs, we want to have players who are focused in helping the team win silverware,' Mogomotsi said.

He asserted that they will be meeting with Rollers' officials tonight to iron out a number of issues. The two clubs have been engaged in a media war in recent times. Top of the agenda in tonight's meeting is Chiefs' left-back Boniface Makolo's transfer back to Rollers.  After featuring in Chiefs' colours for a season, Makolo shocked many people recently when he returned to Rollers. He explained that Rollers has always been his home and there is no better place for him than the club. Reports say Chiefs will not let Makolo join his former club unless a compromise is reached. It is understood the two clubs will discuss Rollers' claims that Chiefs owe them transfer fees for Noah 'Stooge' Kareng and Kitso Tlhowe. Mogomotsi said it will be important for Rollers and Chiefs to come to an agreement on a number of issues which have caused problems between the two blood rivals.

Meanwhile, Rollers' spokesperson Kaizer Sekaba said that Balepi is their player and will not join Chiefs as was expected. 'He's back in training and will play during the Coca-Cola Cup game at the weekend,' he said. The player's move to Magosi hit a snag after Rollers refused to hand over his registration book and demanded P15,000 for his services.

Though he had resigned from Rollers and was headed for Chiefs, he was locked out of the Magosi squad for the Orange Kabelano Charity Cup because of the registration book issue.

Information reaching Mmegi Sport indicates that Rollers and Balepi signed an agreement that the club would pay school fees for him at Gaborone Institute of Professional Studies (GIPS). After his studies, he was obliged to continue playing for Rollers as part of the deal. During the time when he was training with Chiefs, it is reported that some Rollers' elders convinced him to return to the club which introduced him to top-flight football.

The player eventually returned to Rollers mid-last month and was immediately sent to Cape Town for trials with First Division side, Ikapa Sporting, formerly known as Fidentia Rangers. Balepi did not make the grade and he is now back at Rollers. He is expected to play during the club's Coca-Cola Cup quarterfinal clash with ECCO City Greens this weekend.