22 Jan 2013

BR Highlanders are close to finalising deals that will see experienced players join the struggling club.

The Mahalapye-based rookies are sitting at the bottom of the be Mobile Premier League standings with two points and are looking to start shaping victories that would save them from a looming relegation.

Head coach, Mogomotsi Mpote, who joined in the middle of a chaotic first round campaign, is confident of convincing several experienced players to come on board at the Botswana Railways backed club.

“I am looking at strengthening the team in all departments because we have conceded many goals and struggled to score. Negotiations with our targets have moved well and I hope to have signed some of them soon,” said the former Miscellaneous and Tasc coach.

He stated that he was looking to buy at least seven players; two defenders, two midfielders, two strikers and a goalkeeper. Former BDF XI fullback Seboloko Khutsafalo is said to be one of the players under Mpote’s radar.

“The players I am looking to buy are currently playing at other premier league teams. I am looking for players with experience,” he said.

Using a team of players who campaigned in the first division when the club won promotion through the playoffs last year, Highlanders became everybody’s punching bag in the first round.

The inexperienced team went on a horror run that included 11 consecutive defeats. They failed to win any of their first round matches. Mpote believed Highlanders must start being competitive for them to avoid an immediate return to the first division.

“I want to build a strong team that would be competitive. It was my primary mandate when I joined Highlanders. How we build the team will determine where we end this season. But we have to start being competitive,” he said.

The coach disclosed that he had released several players as he went about rebuilding the team. They included Mogomotsi Ferguson, Letlhogonolo Morake and Ovatera Mbaeva. ENDS