Notwane warn rivals over Dirang

TSHEPO MOLWANE
Staff Writer | Wednesday June 25, 2008 00:00

 

This comes after reports that champions Mochudi Centre Chiefs have shown interest in securing the services of the Botswana international. At the moment, the player is the most sought after midfielder in the country. It is said that Chiefs wrote recently to Toronto seeking to talk to the talented youngster but in their response, Notwane made it clear that they are not selling.

Notwane spokesperson Cyras Mogashoa confirmed to Mmegi Sport yesterday that Magosi have shown interest in Moloi and were told to keep their hands off the player. 'We value Dirang's services and since our committee came in, we have been negotiating with the player. Our chairman has agreed in principle to keep him and we believe that he will be part of Notwane in the coming season,' he said. Though Moloi's contract expires soon, Notwane officials are confident that the midfielder will not leave. They expect him to sign a new contract as soon as he arrives with the national team from Ivory Coast tomorrow morning. He assured Notwane supporters that the youngster will play a crucial role in their quest to defend the Orange Kabelano Charity Cup at the National Stadium on Saturday. Moloi was instrumental last year when Notwane were crowned Kabelano champions. Toronto disposed Gaborone United (GU) in the semi-finals before beating Magosi 3-1 in an entertaining final. Interestingly, in this year's Kabelano Cup, Chiefs take on Notwane in the second semi-final scheduled to kick off at 12.15pm. Brother will come against brother once again as Moloi meets with his elder sibling and Chiefs' captain Pontsho.  

Chiefs' chairman, Ernest Molome has dismissed Notwane's statement that they are not selling the younger Moloi as mere talk. 'If our technical team tells us that it is important to have Dirang in the coming season, we will go out and negotiate with him. We do not care what Notwane says. What we will do is to follow the right procedure,' Molome told Mmegi Sport. He emphasised the need to have players of Dirang's quality as Chiefs head for the Africa Champions League and Coca-Cola Cup.

Meanwhile, Mogashoa pointed out that they have gone all out to bolster their squad ahead of the new season and Coca-Cola Cup campaign. He said they want to sign at least six players including a quality goalkeeper. Notwane relied too much on Under-23 goalkeeper Mompoloki Sephekolo last season. At times, the custodian had to play with injuries because he did not have a good deputy. Mogashoa emphasised the need to sign defenders and strikers. At the moment, Toronto are said to be in negotiations with Township Rollers' striker Moemedi 'Jomo' Moatlhaping and Terrence Mandaza from TASC. The other players said to be on the wanted list at Toronto are Rollers' duo of Lesego Molemogi and Edwin Moalosi and Extension Gunners' no-nonsense defender Finkie Mothibi.