25 Aug 2014

Reports from Lobatse suggests that Extension Gunners are on the verge of partying ways with the Serbian coach, Dragojlo Stanojlovic, following a string of poor results.

The same reports indicate that former Zimbabwe national team coach, Sunday Marimo could replace the Serbian.

Although the team chairman, Kitso Dlamini refused to deny or confirm the latest development, allegations abound that Gunners management and supporters were dissatisfied with the recent poor run of form that saw the team collect only one point from the last three league games.

The mood of optimism, which prevailed during the off season following investment of huge sums of money into the team, had since been replaced by despair following a disappointing start to the league.

The team sacked a group of Drago’s backroom staff after the team was humiliated by Township Rollers by 7-nil during Kabelano Charity Cup. The latest loss to minnows, BR Highlanders in Selebi Phikwe appeared to have decided the fate of the Serbian mentor who was booted by Mochudi Centre Chiefs last year.

Dlamini, however, admitted that the management was still waiting for the technical report, concerning their Friday loss against BR Highlanders, adding that the report would then guide them. He said it was not a secret that results were not forth coming at Peleng, and therefore it was imperative to look at other avenues to improve the results.

In their first league game, Gunners were beaten 2-nil by Mochudi Centre Chiefs, then played a one-all draw against Township Rollers, and they were beaten by BR Highlanders 2-1.

A source told BOPA that Sunday was not just an ordinary coach, and should Extension Gunners hire him, that alone will be beneficiary to Botswana football.
 He said the coach who received some of his training in Brazil will raise the standard of football in Botswana, and a big brand like Gunners must attract a big coach.

“Looking at Sunday’s credentials I have no doubt that the numbers of players from Gunners at the national team will increase,” he added.

Sunday played for Dynamos as a defender and won five league championships, he was part of the Zimbabwe national team as a player when the country played world cup qualifying games in 1980. Mhofu, as he is called in football circles, was the first Zimbabwe national team captain at post-independence.

He took Dynamos to first ever African championship league final, and he managed lot of teams both in Zimbabwe and South Africa amongst them Dynamos, Black Leopards, Free State Stars and Zimbabwe national team.

Contacted for comment, Marimo’s personal advisor, George Deda, said he was not aware of any move concerning the coach. Although he was cagey with information, he said he would not be surprised to hear that Gunners might have interest one of Africa’s successful Brazillian trained mentor.


“Until we hear something official from Gunners, we will just treat the issue as a mere football speculation,” he said.

The coach was once banned by Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) for Asia gate scandal which involved 80 players, coaches, three journalists and seven administrators, but FIFA did not endorse the ban as it felt there was a step missing in taking action against all those who were accused.

Therefore, all those who were implicated were free to carry on with their football careers. Ends