23 Jan 2019

Black Forest coach, Reetsang Letlole has disclosed that they are hunting for a prolific striker and experienced centre back this transfer window, in an effort to stave off the relegation threat.

Forest finished a creditable position eight last season, but went on to lose many key players to wealthier clubs during the off-season, which left the team thin on experience in every department this season.

Their main sources of goals last season, striker Molaodi ‘Danger’ Tlhalefang and winger Gofaone Mabaya both decamped to Orapa United, while Zebron Njobvu was not retained.

The loss of the trio has depleted the ‘Magoleng’ firepower.

To complicate matters, their trusted central defence pairing of Tonderai ‘Bere-Bere’ Nyakuba and Kennedy Taukobong was broken, with Nyakuba going to Police XI while Taukobong joined BDF XI.

Another experienced defender, Mosimanyana ‘Fire’ Letsholo was snatched by Extension Gunners.

The team started this campaign with a squad comprising largely of inexperienced youngsters who have struggled.

After 17 matches they have managed only two wins and suffered 12 defeats.

Their defence has conceded the highest number of goals, 35, while their forwards have managed to find the back of the net on only 15 occasions.

Last weekend’s 2-1 defeat to Miscellaneous left the Mmankgodi side with a mountain to climb if they want to avoid relegation.

They are nine points away from safety.

However, Letlole said recently in an interview that they were close to finding quality reinforcements to help them in their relegation battle.

“We are looking for an experienced striker to beef up our strike force. Somebody who can convert the many scoring chances we create.

We also want a mature central defender.

Although it is difficult to bring in good players when the team is not performing well, I am convinced that we will have two or three new faces soon to add experience to our team,” said Letlole, who has presided over five straight league defeats since assuming the coaching reins in November.

“We are going to fight with everything we have to move away from where we are (bottom place). We want to continue to be in the Premier league next season,” he added. ENDS