24 Jan 2016

Forget about the power struggle besieging the team’s boardroom at the moment. 

Township Rollers is one of the most decorated teams in the country. 

They have won the league honours 12 times. They have won the Coca Cola Cup on six occasions, and bagged the Kabelano Charity Cup four times. 

The only prestigious cup that has proved elusive for Mapalastina is the Mascom Top 8. They only won it in 2012.

Despite the uncertainty in the Popa boardroom, players and the technical team are focused on results.

BOPA reporter, Anastacia Sibanda visited Popa during a training session on Wednesday and talked to the team’s head coach, Mark Harrison to appreciate how they intend to execute their plan of winning the double this season.

BOPA: Hello Mark, how are you?

Harrison: Hey, I am all good. I can’t complain.

BOPA: OK, back to business. You are just from an intensive training camp in Rustenburg during the pre-season, and your first game was a one all draw against Jwaneng Galaxy. Will you say Rollers is still on the right track?

Harrison: Well, the idea is that when you set up at the start of the season, the notion is to win everything you can. You know we can win the beMOBILE Premier League and Mascom Top 8. That is what our ambition is, but only time will tell.

BOPA: Coach, despite starting the second round with a draw, will you say you are on the right track?

Harrison: Yah, I mean we are at the top of the league. We have the best goals scored. We have the goals against and difference, so we are doing everything correct at the moment. We are unbeaten, so yah we have 11 games to go, still a lot of points to be won and lost by all teams. Nothing is guaranteed, but we just have to keep our focus from game to game, and try to pick up points as we go along.

BOPA: Ok, now Mark you have a pool of good and experienced players, and maybe one would just want to know how you are going to use them. I think you don’t sleep at night looking at the talent at your disposal. You must be spoilt for choice when picking your first 11.

Harrison: Ha ha ha ha, yah look we have a lot of quality in our squad, and they are experienced players. Some have played in South Africa and in the national team. You know it is hard to keep everybody happy when you have a big squad. It is not easy, but so far so good. We have rotated a little bit. We are trying to keep as many players involved as possible because you never know what will happen with injuries and suspensions. It is important to keep people active and involved in the team. Look, it is a nice headache to have.

BOPA: What do you mean when you say it is a nice headache?

Harrison: I mean when you know you have to pick 11 players out of a pool of talented ones you know you also have to manage those players as well on a day to day basis, also managing their mental state.

BOPA: oh okay. New signees - rumours has it that you have signed Terrence Mandaza and Mara Moloi.

Harrison: No, unless the club has signed them without telling me.

BOPA: Do you intend to sign new players?

Harrison: Oh yah, we have identified one or two players but nothing has materialised yet. We are still looking around. We want to strengthen our attacking midfield. I think we need a bit of creativity in our team.

BOPA: Mark, I’m told one team from Zimbabwe has approached you. In fact they wanted to appoint you as their head coach.

Harrison: (smiles) Well, I am not going to answer that question, but personally I want to finish what I have started with Rollers.

BOPA: Thanks for your time Mark.

Harrison: You are more than welcome. Ends