CAF club licensing requirements has forced Jwaneng Galaxy football club to look for their former coach, Sikalame ‘Six’ Keatlholetswe, barely a year after parting ways with him.
The former BFA technical director was hired on a one (1) year contract by Galaxy in 2019 for CAF club championships competitions. He however did not last long in his role as he gave way to Oris Boyo Radipotsane.
Now with CAF competitions beckoning again, Galaxy has found itself with no option but to rekindle its affair with the former Botswana Football Association (BFA) Technical Director.
It is a requirement for the club’s that participate in CAF to have coaches with CAF “A” coaching license.
And with coaches who have the required qualification at a premium here in Botswana, Galaxy has had no option but to seek out Keatlholetswe’s services.
The long serving former BDF XI coach is one of the highest qualified Batswana coaches and also boasts of vast coaching experience.
Contacted for comment, Six as Keatlholetswe is commonly called within football circles confirmed that Galaxy approached and enquired about his availability.
“They have contacted me and asked me whether I can join them for CAF competitions. And I told them I can join them. That was it they never came up with offers or something tangible to talk about,” he confirmed.
A coy Keatlholetswe however added that ever since the enquiry, the Jwaneng Galaxy management had not spoken and discussed anything further with him.
While the gaffer seemed coy to confirm whether he has joined Galaxy, the mining team’s spokesperson Tankiso Morake said the coach will surely be joining.
“I can confirm that Six has agreed to join Galaxy and they negotiations are nearing conclusion. We are expecting them to have been finalised next week,” he said.
Asked what the coach’s mandate will be as he rejoins Galaxy, Morake said; “we cannot shy away from telling the people that his role is to take us for CAF champions League games. We roped him to fulfill the CAF requirements.”
Concerning the duration of the contract that will be offered to the incoming gaffer, the Galaxy PRO said he could not reveal it because the negotiations are still on going.
On the issue of Galaxy competing in the continental competitions, Morake said they could not resist from representing the country despite the fact that football has not been played locally in over 18 months.
Galaxy is in CAF after being declared championships in the 2019/2020 season which was stopped with 10 games remaining.
Meanwhile, the Galaxy PRO refused to be drawn to comment on what will happen to the current team head coach Radipotsane.
Still with CAF competitions, Orapa United have also roped in another former BFA technical director in Phillimon Makhwengwe as they seek to meet the requirements of competing in the continental football competitions.
Then Orapa mine based outfit will represent the country in the CAF confederation cup. The team has also qualified by virtue of having won the Mascom Top 8 tournament more than 18 months ago.
