Magosi turn to old guard
The influential triumvirate of coach Innocent Morapedi, goalkeeper Noah Maposa and striker Jarome Ramatlhakwane have reportedly gone full circle and reunited with their former club Mochudi Centre Chiefs.
Morapedi, who is formerly the Chiefs assistant coach helped to steer Magosi to some of their most historic premier league triumphs. He was part of the prolific technical team headed by former Magosi headcoach Madinda Ndlovu, a partnership that made Chiefs one of the most feared teams in the domestic league. Back then the mighty Magosi won back-to-back beMOBILE premiership championships.
Following Ndlovu’s departure to Township Rollers, Chiefs hired a new technical team led by little known Dragojlo Stanojlovic from Serbia. This move did not favour the tactical Morapedi who had to make way for China Matlhaku to work as Dragojlo second in command. Morapedi later had a stint at the now relegated Notwane before going under the football radar.
However, it did not come as a surprise to many football supporters when Morapedi resurfaced in Kgatleng. Meanwhile, Ramatlhakwane, the former Under 23 and National team top goal poacher who at some point led the top goal scorer standings during the AFCON 2012 qualifiers, has also been linked to his former team. Ramatlhakwane stamped his authority in regional football when he again clinched the top goal scorer at the regional tournament COSAFA Castle Cup held in Zambia in 2013.
However Ramatlhakwane still has a five-year running contract with Democratic Republic of Congo outfit, Don Bosco. The once feared striker joins Chiefs from championship rivals Township Rollers on loan. Initially, Ramatlhakwane chose Rollers over his former club after it was believed that Rollers dangled an irresistible financial carrot before his nose. Nevertheless, his latest move is believed will breathe life into Chiefs striking force which heavily relied on Onalethata Tshekiso and Lemponye Tshireletso, who have since moved on.
Meanwhile the nomadic safe hands Noah Maposa who has enjoyed playing for almost all the popular clubs in the league including Township Rollers and Gaborone United is expected to take over from goal minder Raphael Nthwane who has joined the likes of Pontsho Moloi and Onalethata Tshekiso at the retirement village.
Maposa, an experienced shot stopper has seen limited game time in Popa colours, as he had to face stiff competition from the Zebras’ first choice goal minder Kabelo Dambe.Worst still, Maposa could have faced even fiercer competition from Mwampule Masule who was on loan at BDF XI. Masule showed improvement at BDF, triggering his dramatic comeback to the national team colours. Masule lately was instrumental in Zebras’ historic feat in the regional COSAFA tournament where they reached the finals for the first time after coming in for injured Dambe.
In an interview this week, Chiefs spokesperson Clifford Mogomotsi confirmed to Sun Sports that indeed they will be signing the duo Maposa and Ramatlhakwane but didn’t disclose the length of their contracts, adding that Morapedi will be an interim headcoach while they search for a suitable candidate. Chiefs were left without a coach after the departure of Michael Sithole who has since joined Jwaneng Galaxy FC.