Coaching merrygo-round in full swing at Rollers
Gaborone giants, Township Rollers are in the hunt for a sixth head coach in four years following the departure of Nikola Kavazovic.
Rollers announced this week that they have agreed ‘amicably’ with the Serbian mentor to part ways after only eight months in charge. It was Kavazovic’s second spell as Rollers coach when he was re-appointed in November last year.
His first appointment was from July 2017 until October 2018 when he left to join South African side, Free State Stars. In his first stint, the Serbian coach led Rollers to a league and Mascom Top 8 double.
He also made history with the club in the same period when they reached the group stages of the CAF Champions League. However, Kavazovic’s second spell with the club ended disappointingly for both him and the club.
He arrived with high hopes but left before he could even lead the team to its first competitive match because of the prolonged suspension of football activities in the country.
There have been reports that uncertainties on the future of local football were partly the reason Kavazovic left. He has been constantly linked with a move to the Zambian league, which has absorbed former Rollers midfielder, Mothusi Cooper.
Kavazovic’s exit paves way for the recruitment of a new mentor and Rollers new chief executive officer (CEO), Bennett Mamelodi announced this week that the process is already underway.
“This highly competent coach’s contribution to the club cannot be downplayed and we wish him well in his future endeavours. The search for a new head coach, who will be suitable for this new project, is now underway,” Mamelodi announced.
When he arrived last year, Kavazovic was replacing Scottish gaffer, Frank Nuttal who had a short stint. Nuttal had been roped in to replace Tomas Trucha who had taken over from Rodolfo
Zapata.
Zapata was let go despite winning the league. He had carried over the winning mentality from Kavazovic who at the time had left to South Africa. The high turnover of coaches could appear as a worrying factor for some Rollers supporters but Mamelodi said the incoming coach will be suitable for the new project.
In a newsletter released this week, the new Rollers chief promised that he will spearhead the building of a monstrous club. He said in the end, the club should be both attractive and relevant, and has a commercial and competitive advantage. Mamelodi joined Rollers this month after parting ways with Jwaneng Galaxy.
He has also hinted that in the future, the club is more likely to change its recruitment policy. “Going forward, our recruitment policy will lean more towards highly enterprising young players who are capable of adding value in our quest to appease the ‘Happy People’,” he said.
In the last two weeks, Rollers have announced the signature of attacking midfielder, Lebopo Moremi from rivals, Gaborone United (GU). They have also bolstered their technical team with the appointment of Wilshere Seabo. Defender, Simisane Mathumo is also expected to return to the club while reports also suggest that striker, Thatayaone Kgamanyane has also been considered. Kgamanyane is currently a free agent after his contract with GU expired.