At the helm was Thaloba 'Machine' Nthaga, who had masterminded the team's rise from the First Division. Nthaga guided Tonota FC through an unbeaten campaign in the lower division, further enhancing his reputation.A feather in both his and the club's cap was his elevation to the position of interim Zebras coach. Here was a team fresh from the First Division, yet providing the country with a candidate for the national team coaching job. It was unprecedented, as the Botswana Football Association (BFA) has traditionally looked to the top flight or abroad when appointing a Zebras coach. Yet Tonota FC arrived with ambitions of winning the FNB Premiership at the first attempt, whilst having the national team coach within its fold.The club is also building its own facility in Tonota, adding to the excitement surrounding its arrival. Its promotion was not just another case of a team ticking the box by climbing from the First Division to the Premiership. Rather, it represented a vertiginous shift, as a new kid on the block entered the top-flight arena armed with a vision to challenge the established order. Established teams such as defending champions Gaborone United, Mochudi Centre Chiefs, Township Rollers, Jwaneng Galaxy and Orapa United suddenly had a new challenger to contend with. Tonota FC offered glimpses of a club destined to operate on professional rails, unveiling high-profile partnerships, including one with Old Mutual, and securing a television show on SuperSport, available on DStv’s pay-per-view platform. The club had made a grand entrance into a football terrain widely regarded as unforgiving, where securing sponsorship is often like finding a needle in a haystack. Tonota FC backed their off-field strength with impressive performances on the pitch, soaring to the summit of the FNB Premiership after the first five rounds of competition. Sepondo se a Debola were in dreamland as they extended an unbeaten run that had begun in the First Division under coach Nthaga. It was the perfect calm, with rival fans green with envy at the serenity prevailing in the Tonota FC camp. Top talents such as Thero Setsile, Phillip Kaku, Mothusi Cooper, Duncan Otien, and Ezekiel Morake had arrived in Tonota to bolster a promising project. Nothing, it seemed, could go wrong. But last Thursday, something went bump in the night. Reports emerged that Nthaga had been placed on special leave. However, the club was swift to dismiss the claims."Good evening. Ga se nnete (it is not true), Sir," was Tonota FC general manager Modise Sifo's response to MmegiSport's inquiry on Thursday evening. Further, Tonota FC chairperson Tumelo Toteng told online publication Spotkick: "We are shocked by unfounded reports about our coach. The truth of the matter is that we released our coach to attend a coaching summit in Cape Verde on October 6 (as Zebras interim coach), and he came back on Wednesday. Upon arrival, he had to submit a report to BFA. Since this is about national interest, we agreed that he will resume duty on Monday. Thaloba Nthaga remains our head coach." But, as the African proverb goes, that which has horns cannot be hidden in a sack. Tonota FC's horns were beginning to spiral out of control in full public glare.After the denials and counter-denials, the club issued a statement on Tuesday that appeared to offer clarity and finality on the matter. "Tonota Football Club announces that coach Thaloba 'Machine' Nthaga has requested to be released from his contract. After careful consideration, the club has granted his request. His departure is effective immediately," read the statement. "We thank coach Nthaga for his commitment and hard work during his tenure and wish him success in his future endeavours," the club added.The statement further announced that Thatayaone Sonny had taken over as interim head coach. But before the ink could even dry on the statement, Nthaga hit back swiftly."I have noted Tonota Football Club's announcement concerning my employment. For the avoidance of doubt, I have neither resigned nor requested release from my contract. Any statement attributing such a request to me is incorrect," he said. "The matter is being addressed directly with the club through the appropriate channels. I will refrain from further public comment at this stage. All my rights are expressly reserved," the interim Zebras coach added.The incident left the club scrambling, and as of yesterday, neither camp had provided an update on the way forward. Sources indicate that Nthaga's Zebras appointment became the catalyst for his departure."There were some who wanted him out so that they could install Sonny as their preferred coach. It had been in the pipeline, and the club used the excuse of the Zebras assignment to get rid of Nthaga," the source said.The public fallout contrasted sharply with the professional image Tonota FC had sought to project. This was the club's first major test of character, and the jury is still out. However, the manner in which Nthaga's separation was handled is likely to fuel corridor whispers at a club that had been pushing hard to establish itself as a paragon of professionalism.Nthaga's dream of guiding Tonota FC through its maiden Premiership campaign has gone up in smoke just five games into the season, shortly after he committed to a fresh three-year deal with the ambitious club. But will Tonota FC look back on this episode as a turning point in its season?
