Sredojevic brushes off Zebras interest
Thato Kala | Sunday December 8, 2013 20:25
Sredojevic tops Botswana Football Association’s list of coaches to replace Stanley Tshosane, who was fired two months ago. He said he has a ‘project’ whose immediate focus is the CHAN Games in South Africa next year.
“We are playing in CECAFA Cup in Kenya as we speak. So far so good, we scored two goals in four games. I am extremely committed to Uganda. I believe in projects. I don’t believe in moving from one job to the other, but the most important thing for me is focus,” Sredojevic told Mmegi Sport.
The Serbian said he is aware of interest from Botswana and has a lot of respect for the country, but he will not be looking at any offer until he is done with his Uganda ‘project’.
“I heard about the news that Botswana is interested, but it would not be proper for me to say much about it at this stage. But I have a lot of respect for Botswana, but talking about this could spoil business in future. My full focus is to prepare the team for CHAN in South Africa next year,” he said. “When I take up a job, I make sure I am fully committed to that job. I do not sit on two chairs. I sit on one chair. So I am sitting firmly on one chair,” he added.
Sredojevic said he was happy with what his compatriot, Jelusic Veselin achieved during his stint with the Zebras.
“Vesco (Veselin) put a positive stamp for our (Serbian) football. It left a positive sign with football. He is a spiritual brother and countryman,” he said.
BFA president, Tebogo Sebego did not provide much detail when asked about their interest in the former Rwanda coach. “We will see after we have received applications,” he said.
Sebego said the BFA has agreed to profile a coach that fits its strategic plan before advertising the job.
“We have not advertised the job because we agreed in the last meeting to profile the coach we want in view of our strategic plan. Whoever has experience and qualifications will get the job. I cannot rule out any name,” he said. Sredojevic signed a two-year deal with the Cranes in May last year.
He has enjoyed a lot of success coaching in Africa. He won three league titles with SC Villa of Uganda and another league title with Ethiopia’s St George. He guided South African giants Orlando Pirates to the semi-finals of the African Champions League in 2006 and led Sudan’s Al-Hilal to the last four of both the Confederation Cup and the African Champions League.