Saturday, February 8, 2025

Players power too strong for Bright?

Gaborone United (GU) head coach Major David Bright suffered a double blow on Saturday something which has left him pondering what could the future be holding for him. First in the afternoon he was left hapless on the sidelines as he watched his side struggling to outsmart South African side Supersport United in the preliminary round of the Caf Confederations Cup match played at the National Stadium in Gaborone. GU came into the match trailing 2-0 and needed three goals to proceed but it was never the case as Supersport United won the second leg 1-0 and dumped the Reds out of the continental competition. Just like in the first leg, it was Senegalese striker Mame Niang who was once again on target in the first half. Despite all the chances they created, GU never looked like a side which can score goals. In a post-match interview, Bright admitted that his side failed to come to the party.

As he left the stadium to his residence, Bright never imagined that it could have been the last time he shouted instructions from GU’s dugout. At around 11pm he was presented with the news that he has been suspended from the club’s activities pending investigations into the poor results. Attempts to solicit a comment from Bright who came to watch the Caf Champions League match between Mochudi Centre Chiefs and Dynamos from Zimbabwe on Sunday afternoon bore no fruits. It is understood that GU have instructed the former army major not to do interviews with the media until the matter has been solved. In a statement from the club released earlier on Sunday, the club did not mentioned what could have led to the suspension. Sources within GU camp indicate that Bright has been forced out by players’ power and as things stand he will not return to the club. Bright’s contract with GU run until June 2015. “It was always going to be difficult for Bright to have control of the dressing room because some of the players are used by two board directors to revolt against the coach. Unfortunately those in power continue to put a blind eye in the situation and I don’t see results improve in the future if these officials continue with such kind of a manner.

It is a bad thing because it now seems that Bright is a bad coach while he is not,” said the source. It is alleged that Bright’s suspension could have long happened but the club’s director Nicholas Zackhem did not buy into the matter. When approached for comment on Monday afternoon, GU secretary Herbert Letsebe said that they have appointed an Investigation team and was not privy to disclosing how long the coach’s suspension will take. “Just like we have said in the press release, we can’t discuss in details what could have prompted our decision.

Yes, we can confirm that George Mogopodi will be the coach in the interim. The speculations (regarding the coach’s suspension) are going to be there but we’re not going to be disturbed. Our focus is on winning the Mascom Top 8 which will once again give us a ticket to the CAF competition where we believe we’ve unfinished business,” said Letsebe. GU start life without Bright tonight (Wednesday) when they take on bitter rivals Township Rollers at the National Stadium in the second leg of Mascom Top 8 semi-finals. ┬áInterim coach George Mogopodi will be hoping that his side overturns the 2-1 loss from the first leg which was played at Molepolole Sports Stadium last month. Kick off is at 8pm with Rollers being the home side. Meanwhile, Mochudi Centre Chiefs also bowed out of the Caf Champions League on a 4-1 aggregate against Zimbabwean giants Dynamos FC at the National Stadium on Sunday. On the day, Chiefs had to come from a goal down to force a stalemate in an exciting match played before an electrifying atmosphere. Dynamos opened the scoring in the 44th minute when midfielder Ronald Chitiyo tapped home a beautiful cross from the right to send the vociferous supporters into wild celebrations.

In the second half Chiefs came with a better approach and were rewarded in the 73rd minute when substitute striker Onalethata Tshekiso equalized with a thunderbolt from an acute angle. The draw was not enough to take Magosi through to the next stage following their 3-0 first leg loss in Harare on February 8.

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