As a result, Rollers were slapped with a transfer ban, which saw them struggle to fulfil the season's opening fixtures. Information indicates that Rollers paid former head coach Abdelaziz Karkache P850,000, then P124,000 to South African player Thabo Mokenoane, and P111,000 to Democratic Republic of Congo player Ntwambe Djo. Meanwhile, the club will turn to Tor Thodesen as they seek to steady the club after a difficult start to the new FNB Premiership season. Speaking to MmegiSport on Wednesday, Rollers secretary-general Ofentse Mosekiemang confirmed that Thodesen is the club’s preferred candidate for the vacant head-coach position. Oupa Kowa is currently leading the team on an interim basis after being appointed first assistant coach in June. Nadeem Tajbhay is serving as the second assistant coach. Thodesen is in talks with Rollers over a return.
However, his arrival was delayed by the club’s FIFA transfer bans. Rollers had spent the off-season clearing a debt owed to Karkache. The amount was settled shortly before the start of the new season. The club was then hit by two fresh bans over outstanding payments to Mokenoane and Djo. Rollers settled the Mokenoane matter; however, there were delays in resolving the Djo case. Mosekiemang said the initial payment to Djo was reversed after being sent to an account that was no longer operational. The club then arranged an alternative account and made the payment. Djo confirmed receipt of the money on Monday and notified FIFA. Rollers were cleared by FIFA on Wednesday, allowing them to register players ahead of their second league fixture against Morupule Wanderers at Palapye Stadium on Saturday. Mosekiemang said the FIFA issue had also affected plans to bring back Thodesen. “We are in the hunt for a head coach, but we have been disturbed by these FIFA bans. We had already begun talks with Tor Thodesen for him to return,” he said. “We had to divert his travelling plans because of the FIFA bans.
