Extended transfer window robs Motlakase
Koketso Kgoboge | Thursday September 15, 2016 14:50
At the time the initial window closed, 11 players had left. “Our pre season was well on course until the extension of the window,” club manager Gaolathe Kelesitse said.
“With the extension we lost the crème of the team, we lost three key attacking players at a time when it was too late to find proper replacements. However, we have identified some young talent around Palapye to make up for the loss but all in all we have wrapped up our pre season and we are ready for the league to start,” Kelesitse said.
Motlakase have turned to their former stars to beef up their technical department. Chouka recently lost their coach, Boyo Radipotsane, to their rivals BR Highlanders and he is replaced by their long time assistant coach Pule Mogotsi.
Chouka’s former skipper Jomo Bolofete and ex-players Nicky Phale and Ogomoditse ‘Anelka’ Oganne will work alongside Mogotsi, while former goalkeeper Segakolodi Ntima takes on as the goalkeeper coach.
Kelesitse said relegating to the First Division is a blessing in disguise for Motlakase. He said their mission is beyond returning to the Premiership next season but to re build a team that will compete in the long term.
“The reason why we have brought in our former players is to give the team identity and also allow them to grow with the team,” he said.
“We have lost our culture. We over relied on players that were rejects from other teams and could not compromise when the team was facing some difficulties, hence now we are focused on giving our developing players a platform to grow and prove themselves,” he said. “First Division might just be the turning point for us. We don’t want to return to the Premiership and fight relegation again. We want to return a side that will challenge for honours and compete in the next five seasons,” he added.
Kelesitse also said they will concentrate on reviving and broadening their support base. He said they are making arrangements for some of their league games to be played in Lecheng and Pilikwe where most of their players come from so as to attract more supporters.