With just five games into the new season, local coaches are leading the way.
While many have been quick to make it known that it is too early to read anything into this, for local coaches’ advocates, this is good news.
In what may be a memorable week for local coaches, Daniel Chico Nare of Extension Gunners and Louie Rasetshwane of BDF XI are occupying the top two spots in the BTC Premiership standings.
Nare’s Extension Gunners gunned down Miscellaneous 2 ÔÇô 1 at the Lobatse Sports Complex on Saturday afternoon.
The win meant that ‘Mapantsula,’ as the Peleng outfit is popularly known, upended BDF XI at the top of the league. BDF XI had taken over at the league summit the previous day (Friday) after beating Township Rollers by a solitary strike from Namibian marksman Kumbee Rodger Katjiteo.
Commenting on the matter, Football Analyst Monty Gagomokgwa said while it is still very early, it is interesting to see local coaches trying to compete.
“It is very good to see locals doing so well in the league, even though it is still too early to celebrate. We are always crying for local coaches to be given a chance and it will be good if they do not just lead the log standings right now, but go on to win the title,” Gagomokgwa said.
According to him, it has been a very long time since a local coach won the league.
“The last local to win the league was Sthandwa Mogwadi way back in 2005 ÔÇô 06 season. Ever since, we have not had a local winning and we are yearning to see a local coach win the league,” he said.
While hopeful to see a local coach win the title, Gagomokgwa is however mindful that it will not be easy for them to achieve the feat.
“If you look at the two coaches, Nare at Gunners and Rasetshwane at BDF XI, the latter has the resources and can compete. Nare on the other hand, though sitting at the top, is still crying out for a striker. His resources are limited and it will be hard for him to keep up, but I will not completely rule him out,” Gagomokgwa concluded.
The same sentiments were shared by Yarona FM Sports Commentator Kagiso Phatsimo.
“It is very interesting to see local coaches doing this good, though it is still early. I have always believed that our local coaches are just as impressive as foreigners,” Phatsimo said.
“Is it a fluke that our local coaches are sitting on top of the log standings right now? I do not know, but I am of the opinion that Batswana coaches can make it. The problem is that they are not afforded the same resources and support given to foreign coaches. If they can be afforded equal treatment, they can blossom,” he explained.
Concerning the current log leaders Extension Gunners and BDF XI, Phatsimo said while he is convinced that BDF XI can fight for honours, the jury was still out over whether or not Gunners can hold on to the top spot.
