Fungai Muderere
THE stone that the builders rejected has found a home in Botswana!
Former Highlanders coach Mandla ‘Lulu” Mpofu, who was reportedly one of the candidates shortlisted by free spending Ngezi Platinum Stars to be their dugout boss, sneaked out of the country on Thursday to neighbouring Botswana where he is set to be the technical manager of Gaborone based Premier League outfit Masitaoka.
In a picture that trended on social media on Thursday, Mpofu is seen processing his travel documents at the Zimbabwe /Botswana border post.
Mpofu, an ex-Warriors assistant coach, parted ways with Bosso in mid-May following the team’s poor form. He left the club in position 13 and with 16 points. He departed two days after the Bulawayo giants’ home encounter against Dynamos was abandoned after crowd trouble.
The gaffer left the club along with his assistant Bekithemba Ndlovu while Joel Luphahla, who joined the side in March, survived the chop.
Mpofu had taken over the reins last year from Mark Harrison and signed a performance-based contract. He had served as the first assistant coach in the senior team before the promotion.
In Botswana, Mpofu, the former Bantu Rovers, Railstars and Chicken Inn coach, will be expected to hit the ground running as his new paymasters are on 3 September set to take part in a in a CRACKiT Challenge Cup Pre-Season Tournament at Lobatse Sports Complex.
This annual tournament is reportedly organised by Nature Lovers Travel, Tours and Safari and sponsored by CRACKiT Tuition Botswana to the tune of P1 000 000 (one million Pula)
The main objective of the tournament is to promote sports event tourism as well as to assist clubs to raise funds for the upcoming season.
Participating clubs will be Masitaoka FC, Township Rollers, Extension Gunners and Mochudi Centre Chiefs. The draw of the tournament that will see the winners go home with P300 000, Runners up P100 000 and semi-finalists receive P50 000 each, will be conducted soon.
Formed in 1962 and officially registered in 1968, Masitaoka FC is one of the oldest clubs in Botswana. Named after the Bakwena Tribe regiment, Masitaoka of 1906, it was eventually nicknamed ‘Majatlhaga’ or ‘Up The Blues’, because of the colour of the playing kit they wear.
The club was originally based in Molepolole but moved to Gaborone. They play their home games at Molepolole Sports Complex. Their home colour is blue, away is white and yellow is their alternative choice.
On 10 August, the club announced the appointment of Shagwa Mogwe as their new fitness trainer for the upcoming season. Just like Mpofu, Mogwe joined the club on a one-year contract.
