Zapata available for Rollers
FOOTBALLThe abrupt departure of Township Rollers coach Nikola Kavazovic this week has sparked speculation as to who will take over at MmaMasire. One of the names that have been making rounds as Kavazovic’s possible replacement is former Gaborone United (GU) coach Rodolfo Zapata.
BG Sport has it in good authority that Zapata is one of the favored candidates to takeover at the reigning BTC Premiership champions. After dumping the cash strapped Gaborone United (GU) earlier this year Zapata travelled further up north to join Kenyan Premier League giants, AFC Leopards.
Nevertheless, three weeks ago, Zapata resigned as AFC Leopards, which makes his a heavy favourite to land the Mapalastina job. According to reports from Kenya, it is alleged that Zapata had fallout with members of the technical bench and it was a matter of time before he was pushed out.
In a brief interview with BG Sport this week, Zapata who is currently in the US, confirmed that he has indeed resigned as AFC Leopards coach and has been in contact with Rollers though nothing has been finalised yet. However, should he reach an agreement with Rollers, he will definitely take up the offer. “I am waiting for their answer about my package,” Zapata said.
Zapata has never hidden his affection for Popa and a cordial relationship with Rollers president Jagdish Shah. Before he went to Kenya, he had hinted that he would not mind coaching Rollers. The ambitious Argentine has even shown interest in coaching the Zebras senior national team too.
Quizzed about his relationship with GU, Zapata noted that the team have not paid him his dues yet. When he finally decided to leave GU, Zapata had grown increasingly unhappy at Moyagoleele. The Argentine claimed to be owed over P 250 000 by the club, more to that, he also has to deal with players who repeatedly missed trainings week in and out. The players too were owed huge lumps of money by the club.
The highly experienced coach joined GU early 2016 during the second round of the 2015/16 season before thing started falling apart at the Gaborone club.