07 Aug 2014

Letlapeng FC chair, Sydney Magagane says the club will be competitive in the elite league and is aiming to maintain its top flight status for years to come.

The Ramotswa-based club would make its premier league entrance against Orapa United at Molepolole Sports Complex on Saturday, August 9, following its promotion from the first division south. Magagane says they had prepared well and expressed confidence that the team would become a force to reckon with.

“We have a three-year-plan which will help us to achieve our objective of making Letlapeng a force to reckon with. To achieve this, we have to maintain our status in the premier league,” Magagane told reporters at Lekidi Football Centre in Gaborone on Wednesday, August 6.

He stated that they had agreed a two-year contract with head coach, Thaloba Nthaga. The former Black Peril coach guided the ‘Rock of Ages’ to the premier league last season after he was appointed in the middle of the 2012/13 season. 

Nthaga is assisted by Molefe Motlhala and Onkemetse Rrannau, both of whom have also been given two-year contracts. 

“We have decided to stick with our coach because of the commitment and hard work he has shown since we engaged him in the second round of the 2012/13 season. I strongly believe in him and we will fight from day one until the last game,” said Magagane.

The chairperson revealed that they had strengthened their team by signing of a horde of new players. Michael Pillar, Justice Dongwana, Kaone van Westhuizen, Vincent Esterhuizen and Baboloki Selotlegeng all arrived from Township Rollers.

The ‘Rock of Ages’ also acquired the services of the experienced Patrick Mathaba, Phenyo Magosi and Larona Maotwe from BMC FC, and goalkeeper, Tumiso Mashakola from Ecco City Greens.

The team has also signed Collins Dhuwa from CAPS United in the Zimbabwean Premier League and Tshegofatso Chimuku from Alexander United in South Africa. 

Other new arrivals include Bakang Jori (XI Men), Koketso Mokgatutswane (Mogoditshane Fighters), Refentse Mmelesi (Gabane United), William Dhliwayo (AmaGents), and Wellington Maposa (Extension Gunners).

Ghanaian striker Sadat Sinare has left and joined Black Forest, while Tshiamo Moreetsi went to Jwaneng Comets and Pane Rakhobo crossed the street to bitter rivals Killer Giants.

Magagane says they have established a youth development team that they would use to groom young players. Furthermore, he says they intend to adopt a lower division team in Ramotswa which they would use as a feeder team.

The Letlapeng boss also revealed that they have agreed a one-year kit sponsorship with sportswear company, Authentic Design. 

The company will provide the team with three sets of playing strips, training kit and travelling kit worth P70 000.

They have also agreed a P50 000 equipment sponsorship with Cleaning Wizards for one season.

Magagane also said they are continuing their partnership with Temo Holdings, who assisted them with transport while in the first division. He also stated that the team will next week open an office in Ramotswa.

The head coach said: “We managed to get most of the players that we asked from management. With that kind of support, we believe retaining our premier league status is an achievable objective.” ENDS