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Motang in, Makwengwe out

Portia Mlilo
Philemon Makwengwe

Gunners’ revolving gates at work as ‘Da Phil’ quits

Extension Gunners are on the brink of hiring their fourth coach midway through the first round of the 2022/23 Botswana Football League (BPL) season.

Mapantsula are said to be working hard to entice former Township Rollers coach Thabo Motang to take over from Philimon Makwengwe.

Motang was fired a fortnight ago by the Rollers Executive, following a string of unsatisfactory results. In a brief interview with Voice Sport on Wednesday evening Motang was cagey with information, but confirmed his desire to work with Gunners.

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“I’ve heard that they are interested in my services, but they’re yet to contact me. However, should they contact me, I’m more than willing to assist the club as I’m currently not contracted to anyone,” said the legendary goal keeper.

Voice Sport has learnt that, the Gunners’ top hierarchy, want Motang and Phenyo Mongala to lead the team, and steer it away from the relegation zone.

Before the start of the 2022/23 season in October, Gunners announced the appointment of Oupa Kowan after Wame Pepezino Mokoke dumped them for first division north side BR Highlanders.

However Kowa, never sat on the technical bench as the two parties could not come to an agreement on the finer details of the contract.

Phenyo Mongala, who had been assisting Mokoke was elevated to the caretaker position as Gunners went back into the market to look for a new coach.

A contractual dispute between Mochudi Center Chiefs and their new coach Philimon Makwengwe provided a perfect opportunity for the Peleng giants to lure the respected tactician to their troubled side.

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Makwengwe was appointed on 15th November, and he opened his account with a 1-all draw against BDF XI on November 26th.

From there it all went downhill for ‘Da Phil’ and his troupes went on a seven game losing streak.

Following a string of these bad results and the subsequent bad publicity the team was receiving, the Extension Gunners Management backed Makwengwe into a corner, giving him an ultimatum to win his next fixture against Morupule Wanderers to save his job.

The tactician however would have none of it, and on Tuesday a dejected Makwengwe who arrived late for training bid his players and colleagues farewell.

Makwengwe confirmed to Voice Sport that all is not well in Lobatse.

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“I’m yet to hand in my resignation letter as I’m still discussing the matter with my legal advisor and agent,” was all Makwengwe was prepared to say.

Voice Sport has been reliably informed that Welfare Manager Mpho Nkadimang and the team Manager Onkutlwile Sedumedi have also been suspended pending a disciplinary hearing.

The two allegedly nearly exchanged blows in an official executive meeting following their loss to Masitaoka. It is alleged the situation escalated when Nkadimang accused Sedumedi of using muti which he blamed for the team’s poor results.

Out of eleven round of matches, Gunners has only won two, drawn one and lost eight, leaving them on position 15 with a mere seven points.

A source further revealed to Voice Sport that during a crisis meeting held this week, some members of the technical team accused Makwengwe of working in isolation.

“They accused him of never involving them in any decisions during match preparations,” said the source, further adding that the coach was using favouritism to select his squad, to the extent of picking players who are not match fit.

“He had totally lost control of the dressing room, with some players openly showing their displeasure,” Voice Sport learnt.

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