Newly-signed BMC midfielder, Kemmy ‘Gweru’ Pilato, has admitted that leaving Extension Gunners after eight years was the most difficult decision he has taken in his football career.┬á
Pilato made the surprise move to Gunners’ bitter rivals to link up with former Mapantsula coach, Daniel ‘Chicco’ Nare.
The move brought mixed feelings from some Gunners’ supporters who accused Pilato of betraying the Peleng outfit. Some have even attacked Nare for distabilising Gunners’ camp by recruiting some of their most prized assets.
Pilato and other new BMC players, Lesego Lubinda, Hillary Madzivanyika (both Motlakase) and Sageby Sandaka (Mochudi Centre Chiefs) were recently presented before the media at Cumberland Hotel in Lobatse. “Leaving Gunners was the most difficult decision I’ve ever taken in my life, considering that I joined Gunners while I was still a student at GSS (Gaborone Secondary School) in 2003. But I had to consider BMC offer because I’m not getting any younger,” he said.
The former Under-23 international added that his move was influenced by the fact that Gunners owe him and they were not willing to settle it before they go into a new agreement.
Before deciding to move to Ezinkomo at the beginning of this month, Pilato said he was approached by many sides in the past years but decided to stay put at Gunners.
He was influential in the middle of the park when Gunners booted out Mochudi Centre Chiefs in the Coca-Cola Cup semi-final en route to lifting the silverware for the first time in over 10 years.
“The other issue which motivated me is the fact that I’ve worked with Chicco at Gunners and he understands me better. So when BMC approached me, I did not hesitate to accept the offer,” he continued.
Pilato pleaded with Gunners’ supporters to understand his decision and he is confident that one day he will return to Gunners.
The nippy-midfielder said leaving Gunners was like dumping your family when they needed you most. When Pilato faces Gunners in the coming season, he is likely to get a hostile reception from some of the supporters.
“As much as I love Gunners and feel sorry for having left them, I’ve to focus and try to achieve big things with BMC in the coming season. I have to repay BMC for the faith they have shown in me. Having won Coca-Cola Cup with Gunners, I’m now eyeing the league medal and with the players we have anything is possible,” Pilato said confidently. ┬á
The 25 year-old midfielder believes that BMC supporters would give him the same love and respect he was given at Gunners.
“Gunners supporters were unbelievable and I hope BMC supporters would rally behind us in the coming season. There is no doubt that I’m here to deliver,” said Pilato.
Nare said that he decided to sign Pilato because he has a high work-rate and will definitely help BMC achieve their goal this season. BMC have set themselves a top four finish in the league the coming season.
“He is one of the best sitting midfielders in the country. In fact, I rate him second to Lawrence Majawa (Township Rollers) in that position. After Patrick Mathaba made it clear that he would like to relocate to Serowe, I decided to look elsewhere and Gweru was the option as he was out of contract,” said Nare.
