Mashaba to coach Notwane

BOITUMELO KHUTSAFALO
Staff Writer | Monday July 22, 2013 00:00

 

The two parties have agreed in principle and Mashaba will jet into the country on Wednesday to finalise the deal. The announcement was made at the team's annual general meeting held in Gaborone on Wednesday.

The new team owner, Kealeboga Mogapi, told the supporters that Mashaba was the preferred candidate from a list of other coaches considered, among them Simon Ngomane and Fani Madida. Mogapi also announced that they had signed former Bafana Bafana midfielder Benedict 'Tso' Vilakazi, who was introduced to the supporters yesterday. Vilakazi has been playing in Swaziland for  Chiefs.

He said they wanted a player who would bring the experience and the expertise in the team. The team is in talks with sports wear giants Nike and Kappa as potential technical sponsors. They are also in discussion to move to a better training facility. Mogapi also urged Notwane supporters to ignore negative comments from people who believe that he is a fly-by-night. 'I have never said I have all the money in the world. I have said I have access to better resources which I would like this team to use wisely,' he said.

He added that with just few weeks remaining before the start of the new season, they had to prepare vigorously.The team is expected to finalise the list of players to sign for next season. He said the intention is to bring the best goalkeeper, defender and midfielder they can get and build the team around them.

'But this is not to say we are now going to chase away the current team. That would not be unfair because these are the same players who have worked so hard for us to be here,' he said. He pointed out that the idea is to transform the team into a business directed side. 'We need to lead by example so that others follow,' he added.

Mogapi also revealed the structure of the team. There would be a board of directors as well as administration wing that will be doing the day-to-day running of the team. He said he would be heavily involved in both structures and warned that he would pick people based on merit only. The current executive committee led by chairman, Segolame Ramotlhwa, will be part of the new team so that transition becomes smooth. Notwane is following in the footsteps of Township Rollers, BMC and Mochudi Centre Chiefs who have recently turned into companies.