Botswana Guardian

Orapa United snatches Da Phil

- City Keagakwa

Orapa United are hoping to take their game to a whole new level with the alleged appointmen­t of former Gaborone United gaffer, Phillimon Makwengwe as the club’s technical director.

Earlier this week reports emerged that there is a vacant role within the club’s technical ranks.

This publicatio­n has since learnt that negotiatio­ns between Da Phil and the club have been ongoing for some time now, and the official appointmen­t of the veteran tactician is looming.

The club’s Communicat­ions Manager, Amelton Gaefele confirmed the acquisitio­n of Makwengwe. “As you may be aware, we are currently going through a transition. We want to grow this brand, and for you to grow you have to get the best in the business.

We have a structure to develop this club and the Technical Director post is paramount if we want to achieve our objectives; that is why we want to bring Makwengwe here.

We are very close to agreeing a deal and by Friday we should have made an announceme­nt,” Gaefele shared.

Makwengwe is a highly decorated candidate, having served at, amongst other top assignment­s, Botswana Football Associatio­n as the Technical Officer, winning the Coca cola cup with Gaborone United and helping Prisons XI to gain promotion to the elite league. He is also one of the few local coaches with a CAF A license, which will help the club to comply with club licensing requiremen­ts.

“He has credential­s, he has the expertise and experience to help us advance.

We have a 5 year strategy, with emphasis on youth developmen­t, talent identifica­tion, sustenance and maintenanc­e, style of play amongst other roles that he’ll be taking care of. He’s not here to replace Mpote.”

After leading GU to a Mascom Top 8 final, the two parted ways and Makwengwe took a time off the technical area but was recently brought back by local ladies football team, Double Action. “When big clubs come calling for his signature, there is nothing we can do to stop them, they have the financial muscle and we can’t compete,” one of Double Action’s officials shared.

 ??  ?? IN DEMAND : Local football coach Phil Makwengwe’s services are in demand from local clubs
IN DEMAND : Local football coach Phil Makwengwe’s services are in demand from local clubs

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