Mixed reactions over Drago’s appointment

While Drago’s appointment is seen as a welcome development by some quarters, others feel that the executive should have continued with Motang. Gunners are left with seven games before they wrap up the season.
Those arguing for Motang feel that he already knows the culture of the sleeping Lobatse giants having been at the club since the beginning of the season.
It was Motang who was in charge when they recorded a hard fought 2-1 win over FC Satmos away in Selebi-Phikwe on March 7.
On Thursday evening in Peleng there was confusion at their training ground when Motang arrived only to find Drago drilling the team.
The move is said to have not gone down well with Motang and he did not take part in the session.
While Motang sat on the bench against ECCO City Greens in the Premier League match which was played at Lobatse Stadium yesterday since Drago has not been issued with a work permit, it is rumoured that he is considering leaving the club.
“Even if Thabo sticks around, I doubt if he will work well with Drago because the management has been unprofessional in the manner in which they brought the Serbian. Even some of the supporters have shown disapproval in the appointment. We’re in a critical position and we shouldn’t let such things happen,” said a source.
Gunners’ manager Johannes Coetzee said their decision to bring Drago was done in the best interest of the club. He said their main priority is to get out of the relegation zone and they needed someone with experience to be leading the team.
“It is not like we’re undermining Thabo like many people think but we needed someone who has experience. Thabo has not coached anywhere and he might be exposed in the coming games when we face clubs which are fighting for the title. We cannot afford to take chances in the position we’re sitting in,” said Coetzee on Friday afternoon.
He pointed out that they have explained the situation to Motang and he seemed understanding. On what happened during the Thursday session, Coetzee said Motang came late and they had no option but to let Drago take charge.
“The players were already there and we could not wait for Thabo to arrive. I did talk to Thabo, it is unfortunate that some of the local coaches undermine the foreign coaches. They feel that they’re here to take their jobs,” Coetzee continued.
Radio Botswana commentator Tiroyaone Lepotokisi lashed at Gunners’ management saying that decision to bring Drago might come to haunt them. He feels that they should have given Motang a chance to take them to the finishing line considering that he won his first game in charge.
“Thabo has worked with previous coaches China (Matlhaku) and Dubula (Mike Sithole) and he learnt a lot from them. He has just continued where they left off. Drago can actually bring a different philosophy which will take players time before they adjust. If I was Thabo I would pack my bags and leave because that shows he is not valued by that in charge,” said Lepotokisi.
He dismissed arguments that Motang lacks in experience saying that he has been assistant coach to different coaches at Township Rollers and BMC.
“He has also worked under a number of coaches at the national team which shows that he has experience. People think that just because his main role at Zebras has been that of goalkeeper coaching he doesn’t know anything,” Lepotokisi pointed out.
In their remaining seven games, Gunners will take on Orapa United (away), BDF XI (home), Mochudi Centre Chiefs (away), Gaborone United (home), Township Rollers (home) and Nico United (away).