Gunners arsenals fire blanks
Even the so called Extension Gunners die-hard fans, who used to throng the stadiums on match day, have succumbed to the thrashings that Botswana Football League (BFL) teams have been ushering upon their side in the past eight (8) matches and are now nowhere to be seen.
Their club is winless in eight games, registering one (1) draw and seven (7) defeats, while they conceded a staggering 17 goals, only managed to score four (4) and are languishing on a relegation zone, a spot above bottom placed Holy Ghost.
Their only two wins have come during the time when assistant coach Phenyo Mongala was in charge of the side following the departure of Oupa Kowa who was dismissed before the season started.
Veteran head coach Philmon Makwengwe was then brought in to steady the ship but everything headed south following his appointment, with only one draw in eight games and seven losses—the rather surprising exit of Mongala has not helped the situation.
Now it has been confirmed that Makwengwe has left his role at the club with the wheels at the club completely off.
The club chairman, Bruno Masisi was recently quoted by local media, backing the players and his administration and further insinuating that Makwengwe is the problem at the club.
Contacted for a comment on the developments at the club, Vice Chairman- Head of Technical, Bonno Ngwamotsoko confirmed that indeed the former Gaborone United and Orapa United gaffer has left the club.
“The coach is no longer with us, it was solely an issue of results but he was not fired. On Monday we had a meeting to reflect on the recent dismal performances of the team. As the current committee we don’t want to see this team relegate while we are the ones in charge. The Monday meeting was not to finger –point, we just wanted answers to the problems we are facing and we wanted to resolve the situation,” he said.
“Even during the meeting he kept asking us to fire him, but we told him we weren’t about firing him, unfortunately on Tuesday he told the chairman that he is leaving. We did try to ask him to stay but he had made up his mind,” Ngwamotsoko continued.
Makwengwe previously extended a rallying cry to the management, calling for the welfare of the players to be addressed as it was making his job difficult.
Ahead of their clash against Nico United in December, players threatened not to turn up for the game. Makwengwe and his technical team were working hard to convince a few who were available to take to the field, the team went on to suffer a 1 nil loss against another struggling opponent.
“At Gunners, it is not a secret that we are struggling financially, the welfare of the players is of great concern, but running a club on a zero budget is very difficult. This season even our branches have ceased from helping the team with funds, and there are no grants from the league, so it is difficult.
Our players understand the situation, we keep constant communication with them and we help them the best way we can. They love the team and they are committed to helping us, players like Ofentse Nato, Keeagile Kgosipula and Thato Bolweleng travel from Gaborone to Lobatse every day, it shows that they are committed,” the further revealed.
The club has swiftly moved to bring back Mongala, according to reliable informants, however, the stumbling block is that, initially, the former Orlando Pirates speedy winger volunteered his services to the club but he is now apparently demanding a contract to return.
“Yes they did make contact with him, it is not easy, and they didn’t show enough desire to have him at the club after being pushed out by the new coach. He feels that he was not appreciated despite the good work that he did and he was also playing very entertaining football—the fans loved him but he was let go as if he offered nothing. They did call him yesterday (Tuesday) to negotiate his return, we’ll see how that goes but money will be involved,” BG source said.
Mongala’s return could be the first step to finding a solution but not entirely, as he does not have the required coaching qualifications as per the Botswana Football Association (BFA) club licensing manual.
Before his departure, the BFL issued a statement warning that, technical team members without relevant qualifications must not address players or issue tactical advises from the technical area.
“Our authorities are killing our football and Gunners, we had Phenyo and he was told not do anything from the bench; people want to help but qualifications are a challenge. Even if we want to bring Phenyo, he doesn’t have the right qualifications needed by BFA; some of these things are beyond our control. There is no enough pool of coaches looking at our budget. We have the likes of Michael Mogaladi and Thabo Motang , they have families to take care of so it is difficult to negotiate but we are working tirelessly to find a solution,” he concluded.
Mongala took charge of Gunners midway through the past season after Wame Mokoke left Mapantsola to join relegated BR Highlanders.
Having assembled a squad for the current campaign, there is genuine interest for him to return and it remains to be seen whether the club can strike an agreement with both the former assistant coach and the local football mother-body, BFA.