According to the player’s manager, Bakang Moipone, of Extreme Sports, they are to meet Callies’ management over the extension option as he ruled out a local move.
“’Zakes’ still has a one-year option on his contract with Callies. However, we are yet to exercise it. We will soon engage the club. As of yet, we have not received any offer either locally or internationally. Honestly, I do not think ‘Zakes’ will play locally anytime soon. The plan is for him to play outside and will do anything it takes to make sure we fulfil his dream,” Moipone said. Morake joined Callies after being idle for two years. He was previously on the books of the Ethiopian side, Ethiopian Coffee on a one-and-a-half-year deal.
The former Jwaneng Galaxy shot-stopper spent time on the sidelines after signing with ‘Maroma’ due to a work permit delay. He only got to make his debut in February as the Motsepe Championship neared its end. Morake made six league appearances for the team and kept two clean sheets. Callies missed relegation by a whisker as they finished just three points from the drop.
“I can confirm to you that the club, including the technical team, are happy with Zakes. The plan is to continue together in the coming season as the club wants to get automatic promotion to the PSL and Zakes remains a key member of the club,” Moipone said. Morake became the second Motswana to play for Callies after Moshe ‘Zim Dollar’ Ndlovu, who now turns out for Bantu FC in the Lesotho elite league. Meanwhile, Moipone has quashed rumours that championship-winning coach, Nikola Kavazovic, is on his way back to the local shores. The Serbian has coached amongst others, Township Rollers, Gaborone United, Galaxy, and Sua Flamingoes. He enjoyed a fruitful spell at Rollers, winning a rare league and cup double while the Blues made it to the CAF Champions League group stages for the first time. Kavazovic hinted at a move to Botswana in a Facebook post, which he later deleted. Rollers are said to be on the hunt for a new coach as the club is undergoing administrative and technical changes. Matebele FC is also on the lookout for a new head coach as the club advertised the post this week. Moipone, however, said the tactician is yet to commit to any club locally.
“As for Nikola, we are shocked to see news circulating within the social media, linking him with certain clubs locally. And to tell you the truth, we have not signed with any team or engaged with any club in Botswana. We are still working on something, as soon as everything has been sealed, we shall announce,” he said.
