Gaborone United (GU) have given their new Zimbabwean head coach, Rahman Gumbo, firm instructions to win the premier league title in the coming season. Reports from within the Moyagoleele camp indicate that club boss Nicholas Zakhem has given Gumbo a simple instruction; to win the league championship at all costs. Zakhem is reportedly tired of standing on the sidelines as arch rivals Mochudi Centre Chiefs and Township Rollers dominate local football while GU is relegated to mediocrity. The last time GU won the league title was during the 2008/09 season.
Gumbo, who arrived at GU midway through the last season as technical director, has since been elevated to the position of head coach after the club unceremoniously parted ways with Major David Bright. The Zimbabwean coach will be presented to the media this week where his targets will be revealed. He won the league title with Rollers during the 2009/10 season before he left to join Centre Chiefs. Before coming back to link up with the Reds, Gumbo was caretaker coach of the Zimbabwean national team and later coach of FC Platinum, a Zimbabwean premier league side.
His wealth of experience reportedly convinced the GU executive that Gumbo has the qualities to steer their ship to the promised land. However, GU management has been warned that Gumbo is a no nonsense coach who expects perfection in whatever he does.
“The message from the boss was very clear; win us the league. Gumbo got an opportunity to assess the club last season and he now has an idea of what is needed to win the league. He is an intelligent coach and, given the necessary support, he will surely take the club back to its glory days,” said a GU insider.
Gumbo has reportedly met with the executive to agree on terms. He has also drawn up a list of players who he believes should stay at the club. In an interview, GU’s head of communications, Herbert Letsebe, confirmed the meeting with the technical team where they agreed that the ultimate goal is to win the league title.
“There really isn’t much to say at the moment except that Gumbo will be presented to the media in the near future. Our ultimate goal is to win the league and our technical team is aware of that goal. We will put it in writing for them,” said Letsebe.
Even though the Reds have been struggling to keep the same coach for at least two seasons, Letsebe was confident that they will go far with Gumbo. He said many of Gumbo’s predecessors left because of circumstances beyond their control. Letsebe also quashed reports that they are on the brink of releasing striker Tebogo Sembowa and Jackie Mothatego. Sembowa has been linked with a move to his former club, Township Rollers.
“Those players remain GU employees and we will be sitting them down to offer them new contracts. We heard rumours that Sembowa has been in and out of Rollers’ offices, but we will not take them seriously until we have proof that Rollers have been trying to poach our player,” said Letsebe.
Though Letsebe was loath to confirm it, Sunday Standard Sport has it on good authority that GU will soon release Zimbabwean striker Thulani Moyo and attacking midfielder George Mupita. The two foreigners have struggled to stamp their authority since arriving at the club in January. Young striker Matthews Moruti is also among the players who are headed for the exit, probably on loan.
“We will definitely send some players on loan where they’ll have more game time. Until we’ve discussed the list with the technical team I can’t reveal the names of the players,” said Letsebe.
