28 Jul 2013

The be Mobile Premier League side, Miscellaneous officials have just returned from South Africa where they met the chairman of Platinum Stars, Cliff Ramorwa.

The trio, head coach, Otsile Koolese, public relations officer, Musa Morapedi and welfare manager, Malebogo Motsokono’s mission was to share best practices and learn from Platinum Stars which finished second in the ABSA Premier League last season.

Morapedi said in an interview that they had learnt that there was not much of a difference between how the teams operated in preparing for the league and matches, but resources proved to be a major disparity in terms of running the clubs.

Although it was apparent that Stars did not have much of a financial muscle compared to the likes of Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs, he noted that they had good infrastructure and training facilities.

“Platinum Stars have infrastructure like the Royal Bafokeng Sport Palace which is their home ground while we do not have a home ground. They also have a state of the art gym room facility called the High Performance Centre where they keep players fit,” he said. Unlike Stars, he said Miscellaneous had to pay for gym facilities amidst their financial challenges.

Morapedi, however, noted that even though Stars did not have the financial leverage to buy big name players, they had been able to produce and retain their own through their development structures. The move, he said, was a milestone that could also help his team in terms of producing quality players.

However, he said nothing had come out of their efforts to have development structures. “We have in the past tried to put together a development team from all the junior secondary schools in and around Serowe to select those who could feed Miscellaneous, but that has not been successful because as you may know in the village when schools close boys go to the cattle post.”

Nonetheless Morapedi expressed optimism that their newly found friendship with their South African counterparts would bear fruit. Already, he said the club had offered them their High Performance Centre to use during season breaks.

He also said there was also an agreement reached in principle for practice matches between the two teams. “It is only that this time it is too late for us to go and use the center or organise a game with them as we are both readying for the league, but they did not have a problem with us using their facility.”

Morapedi also revealed that they were yet to invite Stars officials for a visit and see their team play with some prospects of buying those who might impress the South African officials.  “That is yet to be discussed.” ENDS