After frustrating months in the football wilderness, Moemedi ‘Jomo’ Moatlhaping can now afford a smile. This comes after the gifted striker signed a two and half year deal with be MOBILE Premier League giants Gaborone United (GU) on Thursday.
The move sees Moatlhaping reuniting with head coach David Bright, who recruited him to South African First Division side, Bay United in the past season.
Moatlhaping has been training with the Reds for sometime before agreeing to a deal which will see him at the club till June 2015.
“I’m happy that I’ve found a club and will start playing the beautiful game again. It was frustrating to be sitting out there but its water under the bridge now. I settled for GU because they were serious and professional throughout our negotiations and I’ve no doubt that I’ve found the right club,” said Moatlhaping on Friday afternoon.
Moatlhaping pointed out that since returning from South Africa at the end of last season, he has received so many offers but settled for the Gaborone giants because they met his expectations.
“Since I’m happy, my main task is to help GU win silverware this season. Joining a club like GU come with lots of expectations (especially when you’re a striker) and I’ve no doubt that I’ll deliver. I also want to help GU do well in CAF competition (Confederation Cup),” he said.
Moatlhaping dismissed reports that his move to the 2008/2009 league champions was influenced by the fact that Bright is there.
“Honestly, Bright did not have any influence in my move. He did not approach me nor was he involved in the negotiations. It was just my decision looking at the expectations of the club. The other thing is that I’ve been to the other big clubs (Mochudi Centre Chiefs and Township Rollers) and I know their environment. I needed a new challenge,” he said.
Confirming the good news, GU secretary Herbert Letsebe said they opted to bring Moatlhaping on board because he has a wealth of experience and a good track record. Letsebe said recently they have been missing chances which someone like Moatlhaping can bury.
“We’ve no doubt that he’ll come and deliver as he has proven in the past that that he’s good striker,” added Letsebe.
In the absence of their injured leading scorer Tebogo Sembowa, GU have struggled, scoring just three goals in three consecutive games.
At the time of going to press, Letsebe said that they were doing all they could to secure Moatlhaping’s international transfer certificate in time for their league fixture against ECCO City Greens which was played in Molepolole yesterday.
Moatlhaping was left for months kicking his heels after he was involved in a tug of war with his former club renamed Polokwane City (Bay United) in the South African First Division. City terminated Moatlhaping’s contract and he took the matter with Premier Soccer League who ordered the club to pay him out. The matter was resolved recently and Moatlhaping is happy to move on.
