Rodolfo Zapata’s departure as coach at Gaborone United (GU) last week to join Kenyan Premier League side, AFC Leopards has left a void in the team. Not only was Zapata a soccer coach but he was also a lover of sport. His departure has left the team with limited options as to who to appoint as head coach. The management swiftly moved to appoint Stephen Maposa as caretaker coach while they look for a suitable replacement.
Maposa has expressed hope that he will be appointed the head coach. In an interview with The Telegraph Sport over the weekend after suffering a 3 ÔÇô 1 defeat against Township Rollers, the caretaker coach revealed his wishes of wanting to head the team.
“It is too early to tell who the management will appoint as the Coach but i will be there for the team until they finish the season. Any assistant coach would like to be the fulltime coach,” he said.’
Contacted for comment, GU’s Public Relations Officer (PRO) Lone Masibi said, “I believe Maposa is capable of taking the role of head coach. He has what it takes to be at the helm of GU.” She, however, explained that Maposa will continue to work as a caretaker coach as the team is yet to find a solution to the position of a head coach.
She said Zapata‘s exit from the team caught them off guard because it was sudden. “The departure of Zapata surprised us because it was sudden and they did not expect it to happen,” said Masibi.
Moyagoleele executive committee will hold a meeting on Sunday to discuss the challenges and problems that are besieging the team including the coaching position. GU’s general manager, Olebile Sikwane, observed that Maposa knows the culture and the expectations of the team’s supporters and management.
Sikwane said they respect Maposa as a legend and are looking forward to working with him to finish the league on a high note. Sikwane confirmed that GU will appoint a head coach during the Kabelano Charity Cup. He said the club’s coaching position has always attracted local and international coaches.
“I hope Maposa will prefer to continue to learn from experienced coaches to widen his coaching skills,” said Sikwane. Asked how they are going to pay former coach Zapata, he said, “Zapata’s Contract with GU is an outstanding matter which is unfortunately very internal. We must still meet, engage Zapata and AFC Leopards because there is a contract between us and Zapata. We are hoping for a speedy amicable resolution of this matter” Sikwane said.