Masitaoka struggles, coach seeks a breather
Molepolole based outfits Masitaoka have not responded to speculations that have been making rounds that the team has axed coach Nelson Olebile, who has been undergoing a testing time in the Botswana Football League ( BFL), but word coming in is that the coach has requested some time off.
Speculation has been rife after the team was beaten 3- 1 by Jwaneng Galaxy over the past weekend, that Olebile was facing the sack, however the team is yet to come out publicly to make the matter known.
Reached for comment over the speculation the club Public Relations Officer ( PRO) Godfrey Rathaga was reluctant to comment on the matter.
“The only truth about us will always be found in our platforms. We can’t take responsibility for speculations.” However, according to sources closer to the club, it is reported that the coach has requested some time off to readjust and re- energize. “If you remember very well the coach has been with the team for a very long time, he needed some time off to gather new ideas,” the source said.
Furthermore, Olebile has had a great influence in the team, having helped them climb up to the elite league in 2020. The coach started the 2021/ 2022 season on a high, leading the team to a historic Orange FA Cup final, their first ever major final. However, results have been hard to come by following their defeat in the final by Gaborone United. The Molepolole based side has been digging too deep in the league, and the team eventually dropped out of the top 8. For a team without top- flight football experience, it has done very well so far although most are not satisfied with their position and the fact that they are not able to match their opponents week in and week out. Majathaga are on position 11 and have accumulated only 12 points after 12 games.
The team can still come back to life since they have in their squad a lot of experienced players, including the likes of Patrick Kaunda, Kobamelo Kebaikanye, Katlego Mbise, Fortunate Thulare, Tapiwa Sepatela and Walter Mukanga. These players can absorb the pressure and execute their game plan on any given day. The team is expected to return to action in the league after a week and it is to be seen if Olebile will be leading the troops.