GU snatches Cooper
for a return to Botswana or South Africa.
As previously reported by this publication, Champions, Gaborone United had shown serious intensions to sign the midfielder with CAF champions league assignments on the horizon. Cooper was set for a return to Morocco on the 7th of June 2022 after the Tunisia encounter.
However, he remained in the country and even trained with Gaborone United before he joined the national team for COSAFA cup tournament, an event that is not on the FIFA calendar of official events. Rated as one of the best midfielders of the current generation locally, Cooper is admired by almost all the top clubs in local football. South African Premier Soccer League ( PSL) teams are reported to be interested in the services of the player, with Mamelodi Sundowns, Supersport United and Sekukune United all being mentioned. Following an impressive COSAFA cup campaign last month, more and more teams were said to be keen to tie him to a deal and Amazulu only just missed out on his signature as they had already filled their foreign players’ quota in the team. “Amazulu were very very keen on the boy, the coach himself, Brendan Truter expressed serious interest. Other players like George Maluleka, Keagan Buchanan and even Teko Modise were also pushing for him to be signed. Remember the Zebras had training sessions and match practices with Amazulu so they had seen him first hand, but unfortunately their foreign quota was filled. They however promised that they are likely to return for his signature be it in January or end of the season,” Moipone exclusively told BG Sport.
The player has signed a 1 year deal with the Botswana Football League ( BFL) champions and will be expected to help the team retain their league title and even contribute to the champion’s league campaign.
Close reports suggests that Gaborone United’s open door policy for players who attract foreign interest was one of the key factors why he signed as he can always leave if good offers become available. Cooper, has been capped 13 times by the Zebras and has experience in the CAF Confederation Cup and Champions League, having been part of a successful Township Rollers side in 2018.