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Morapedi, Seabo stay put despite Karkache arrival

STAYING PUT: Township Rollers assistant coach, Morapedi PIC: PHATSIMO KAPENG
 
STAYING PUT: Township Rollers assistant coach, Morapedi PIC: PHATSIMO KAPENG

Karkache was unveiled as the new Rollers coach this week, filling the void left by Mogomotsi 'Teenage' Mpote who was dismissed a fortnight ago. The Belgian of Moroccan descent was said to be bringing along an assistant coach and a goalkeeper coach, thus casting a dark cloud over the futures of the current technical team that includes Innocent Morapedi and Oarabile Seabo, who were serving as assistant coaches under Mpote. The Rollers' technical team also includes goalkeeper coach, David Puso and Kenneth Dambe who is the team's performance analyst.

Speaking to MmegiSport this week, Rollers' spokesperson, Pako Lebanna, assured that Karkache's arrival would not have an impact on the current technical team. 'As communicated on our official platforms, the club has made only one appointment, that of the head coach. The status of the rest of the coaching staff is thus unaffected,' said Lebanna. Karkache met the technical team on Wednesday and 'emphasised togetherness and hard work to take the club to greater heights,' the club said. The tactician holds a UEFA Pro, UEFA Advanced Level, and CAF A coaching licences. He has over two decades of experience in a professional setup. The Rollers mentor’s role is his first outside his native Morocco and led sides such as Olympique Khouribga and Mouloudia Oujda amongst others.

He oversaw Rollers' 2-1 win over Morupule Wanderers on Wednesday afternoon from the stands, as he is yet to secure a work permit. The club could not say when he would be able to sit on the technical bench but Lebanna said Rollers have applied for a work permit. 'We have submitted an application for a work permit and coach Karkache will commence duty on the technical bench upon the completion of that process. The club is not in a position to give time frame as the application is to be handled by the Department of Immigration,' said Lebanna.