Will Makwengwe, Mpote survive the ego test?
FRANCISTOWN: The appointment of Phillimon Makwengwe as Orapa United technical director has raised fears it could destabilise the technical department. A technical director is often considered as someone who is hired to enhance the club’s technical structures and to some extent assist coaches to improve the performance of the team. But in most instances, the appointment of a technical director is seen as the looming ‘death’ of the incumbent coach.
Some clubs have used the position of the technical director as a decoy towards getting rid of their coach. Coaches and technical directors also often fail the ego test and as a result, create instability within the team’s technical set-up. Most often, the technical director will be an accomplished coach in their own right and would want to impose their philosophies on the team.
Makwengwe is a reputable coach and football administrator. He has won honours at a club level. He is also a former technical officer at the Botswana Football Association (BFA).
On the other hand, Orapa United head coach, Mogomotsi Mpote is one of the few local coaches who have impressive CVs. He has won several accolades at Township Rollers and Orapa United, where he clinched the Orange FA Cup. He also enjoyed a brief
but successful stint as caretaker coach of the national team. Both men are also highly opinionated.
As a result, many have opined that bringing in both Mpote and Makwengwe might prove to be catastrophic and result in a clash of egos between the two.
But Orapa United spokesperson Amelton Gaefhele dismissed fears the combination of Makwengwe and Mpote in the club technical set-up might prove to be a recipe for disaster.
“Their roles have been fully explained to them. In addition, their roles are very diverse. Of course, there will be moments when they will differ during their engagements. We expect them to differ in a cordial manner because differing is part of team dynamics,” he said.
He added that Mpote’s focus will be on working with the senior team while Makwengwe will focus on helping the club to develop its own talent.
“The two men are professionals. They will not get into each other’s lane,” he added.
Gaefhele said Makwengwe and Mpote operationally, report to the vice chairperson of the club, while administratively they report to the chairperson.