Extension Gunners coach Maxwell Moyo is said to have been given an ultimatum to deliver in the upcoming games, starting with their derby clash against BMC at the Lobatse Town Council Stadium this afternoon (Sunday). After their clash against Ezinkomo, Moyo faces five tough assignments against Mochudi Centre Chiefs (September 24, home), ECCO City Greens (October 1, away), Uniao Flamengo Santos (October 8, home), FC Satmos (October 16, home) and Gaborone United (October 23, away).
Information reaching Sunday Standard indicates that after their 3-2 loss to BDF XI at the Molepolole Sports Stadium last weekend, the management of the team was not impressed by the tactics the coach employed on the day. Things were not helped by reports during the week that the coach confided to someone that there was no way they could have beaten the army side. “The management took the allegations seriously, especially in a week when we’ll be playing our rivals (BMC). They (management) did their independent investigations and met with the coach on Wednesday where a lot of things were brought to the table. The coach knows that his job is on the line if he does not deliver, starting with our game against BMC,” said an inside source. It is said that at the meeting, president Rashid Chopdat and chairman William Maboane did not attend so that Moyo can be free to raise his concerns.
“The meeting went well and the coach knows what is expected from him. I think the returning of assistant coach (Nelson Olebile) who has been attending a coaching course will also help. In our game against BDF XI, I think the coach got it all wrong with his substitutions,” added a source.
At the moment, Mapantsula are lying 10th on the Premier League log with five points, having beaten Police XI and drawn two games against TAFIC and Township Rollers. Their only loss to date came last weekend against Matebele.
When contacted for comment, Maboane confirmed that his committee met with the coach recently where a numbers of issues were discussed. He confirmed that his management has given Moyo a mandate to deliver in the upcoming games.
“All we’re saying is that we know what the coach is capable of doing hence he was brought in from ECCO City Greens. We want Gunners to be a competitive side and bring back the glory times. We’re not saying BDF XI is not a good side but we felt that we could have done better on the day,” he said.
Maboane pointed out that they involved their gaffer in the recruitment of players because they believed he is better-placed to know where there is need for strengthening.
The Gunners’ boss said that his committee has an open door policy through which the coach can channel his concerns rather than hear about those concerns in the corridors.
“I believe that in the upcoming games, we’ll do better and be among the top teams,” he said.
Maboane did not want to comment on the reports that Moyo was influenced by some members of the old committee to throw away their game against BDF XI.
On other issues, Maboane had a meeting on Monday evening to get their views on what went wrong in their game against BDF XI. The players are said to have opened up to their boss and made a commitment to push themselves in the upcoming games.
“We’re going to hold such meetings in the future to get a regular feedback from them. We want to keep the players motivated and they’ve also hinted to me that there is a need to reinforce the side during the next transfer window,” said Maboane.
Though he did not want to comment on it, Gunners’ players are said to have told Maboane that they are not ready to compete in the CAF Confederations Cup. Mapantsula qualified for the tournament after winning the Coca-Cola Cup in May beating relegated Motlakase 3-1 in an entertaining final at Lobatse Sports Complex.
