Chiefs' coach Chambeshi at peace

TSHEPO MOLWANE
Staff Writer | Friday May 15, 2009 00:00

 

At the weekend, when Chiefs beat Great North Tigers (GNT) 3-2 in the Coca-Cola Cup Last 32 round in Francistown, some supporters are said to have complained that Chambeshi has run out of ideas and needs to be relieved off his duties.

Speaking to Mmegi Sport yesterday, the Zambian-born coach said, 'As a coach, sometimes you have to be careful as to who is saying what and while supporters can be funny sometimes, I am happy that the management is supportive of me.' Chambeshi reiterated that what is important for him at the moment was to focus on the remaining games and help the team defend the title.

Chambeshi, who took over from compatriot Mike Sithole, who joined Gaborone United (GU) with Magosi having played 17 games unbeaten, returned to Magosi's hot seat in January last year and guided the Kgatleng giants to their first league title in over 30 years. Magosi recorded a rare feat in the country's season when they finished the season unbeaten in 30 matches.

At the time, many felt that Chambeshi benefited from the ground work which was laid by Sithole and pointed out that he will have to prove his pedigree this season. Things have not gone Magosi's way this season having already lost four games. He came under heavy criticism after their first round 2-0 loss to Nico United in Selebi-Phikwe and the recent 2-2 draw against TAFIC in Molepolole over the Easter holidays. By dropping crucial points along the way, Chiefs remain five points behind log leaders GU and many pundits have already ruled out chances of Magosi retaining the title.

Ahead of their game against troubled Boteti Young Fighters at the Lobatse Stadium tomorrow, Chambeshi said that he would have to come up with a strong team which can claim nothing less than maximum points. The soft-spoken tactician believes that the title is still there for the taking and they have to keep fighting. 'The way we have been planning in training, I have confidence that we can beat Boteti,' he told Mmegi Sport. 

Chambeshi who was forced to play GNT without strikers Moemedi 'Jomo' Moatlhaping and Mpho 'Jomo' Mabogo, is delighted that the duo is back in training. 'I will wait for the doctor's report on Moatlhaping who suffered an injury on the lower lip when we lost 3-0 to ECCO City Greens a fortnight ago and missed training for a couple of days,' he said.

Midfield sensation, Oteng Moalosi, who is in fine form and recently helped Magosi win some games, is expected to lead his side in search for goals.  Meanwhile, in Orapa, all seem to be going from bad to worse for Boteti. The diamond-mining town side has been struggling financially causing some players to disappear due to non-payment of their dues.

Coach Kenneth Mogae has been left to work with a thin squad that is also suffering from the absence of key players due to injuries. In their recent visits to the south of Dibete cordon fence, Boteti were humiliated 5-0 by GU and last weekend, they were kicked out of the Coca-Cola Cup by First Division side Killer Giants in Ramotswa.  Boteti's publicity officer Leano Marumo admitted that facing Chiefs is going to be an uphill task but promised that they would do their best. 

'This recession has hit our club negatively because we relied on some supporters to make monthly contributions but that is no longer happening and the injuries are not helping either,' he said.

Strikers Patrick Tom and Collen Nyambia have been absent for sometime, while top scorer Patrick Lenyeletse is doubtful of resuming play because of injury.

First-choice goalkeeper Chamu Madamombe has not recovered from the injury he incurred when playing GU and this means rusty Thabo Mzuku will come to the party. Kick off is at 3.30pm.