the monitor

New crop of coaches struggle to convince local clubs

Despite a number of local coaches graduating with the requisite CAF A license, which makes them eligible to coach in the FNB Premiership, clubs continue to keep faith with expertise from abroad.

In 2019, the Botswana Football Association (BFA) under its technical director, Letsoaka Serame, embarked on a deliberate course to upskill local coaches. At the time, there were only three CAF A license holders being Phillimon Makwengwe, Ben Kgomela and Lesika 'Six' Keatlholetswe. That figure has improved significantly, with a significant number of coaches getting their badges in recent years. But their graduation has not translated to faith from local clubs who still prefer to cross the borders for tactical brain. Their qualification in a field which is more of a dog-eat-dog business does not necessarily translate into problem solving. Yes, the expectation will be that they will get the larger chunks of the available coaching gigs, but most of the time, in football, clubs go beyond just the papers. There are certain attributes that clubs consider before settling for their preferred man (or woman).

The local coaches will feel rightly disappointed as they play second fiddle, particularly for the lucrative jobs at big clubs like Township Rollers. It must, however, be understood and appreciated that the presence of some foreign coaches is beneficial to the game. Even what is regarded as the best league in the world, the English Premier League, is dominated by managers from outside. However, this should be carefully managed where doors should only be opened for those who add value. This means strict screening to ensure the league is not dominated by the so-called 'plumbers.' And again, one should not be too harsh on local clubs as they have given sons of the soil a chance. One might argue probably they need more time, but efforts have been made and there are visible strides to empower local coaches.

This is why there is a new crop of young coaches in the likes of Seemo Mpatane, Pontsho Moloi, Joel Mogorosi, Sekhana Koko, Leutlwetse Tshireletso, Phenyo Mongala, among others. Some like Mpatane and Moloi have been handed full responsibilities at Premier League clubs, which was not the case not too long ago. It shows a mindset shift, but again it is clear that local coaches have to do double what their foreign counterparts have to do in order to convince clubs. It is not easy as even in neighbouring South Africa, the top three, Kaizer Chiefs, Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates, continue to mix-it up. The three are currently managed by expatriates and one of the unofficial reasons is that local players tend to have little respect for indigenous coaches. But that narrative is changing after what Pitso Mosimane and Rulani Mokwena achieved at Sundowns.

So the gauntlet has been thrown at local coaches who should prove beyond reasonable doubt that they can do the job, particularly at big clubs like Rollers, Mochudi Centre Chiefs, Jwaneng Galaxy, Orapa United and Gaborone United. The burden of proof lies squarely on their doorstep as clubs have in recent seasons, shown a willingness to give them a trial run.

Editor's Comment
UDC's 100 Days: Please deliver your promises!

We duly congratulate them to have ousted the long ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) from power. Prior to taking power from the BDP, the coalition had made several election promises that are credited for influencing change and swaying the people to vote in its favour.The party had made an undertaking, which its leader and President Duma Boko consistently bellowed in his campaign trail. These undertakings were promises that Batswana would be...

Have a Story? Send Us a tip
arrow up