20 Jan 2025

Extension Gunners new South African investor, Chief Ally Kgomongwe is poised to place the sleeping football giant back to where it belongs. At the top!

The five-year partnership, which is perhaps one of the key highlights in the football calendar this season, sets Gunners on a new path since the business magnate has promised to take it back to its heydays.

Speaking in an interview after the clash between Extension Gunners and Mochudi Centre Chiefs on Saturday, Kgomongwe who was previously with Mbabane Highlanders in eSwatini said opportunities were abound and the ground was fertile for the team to thrive.

His mission is that after his five-year contract with Gunners, the team should have elevated to greater heights, as he also plans to compete in CAF competitions, buy more players and is already in talks with other clubs to loan him players.

He is working on identifying performance gaps and finding solutions to rebuild the team and make it compact and successful.

Quizzed on whether he did not deem it risky investing in a team faced with financial challenges and was not doing well in the log standings he said, “remember that in order to succeed you must build your own business from scratch, any business is a risk.”

The business magnate is steadfast on taking his chances with Gunners, which has a solid foundation and good players.

“I have made investments at Mbabane Highlanders in eSwatini where I had to start off by looking for players in the streets. So, I see Extension Gunners as a much better team because already they have something in place. My promise to the Gunners family is that glory days are back!” he said with optimism.

Football analyst, Gorata Ramphaleng said the investor was bringing in a wealth of experience in football administration having done well with Mbabane Highlanders over the years.

“Looks like he likes them black and white. Gunners brings in a lot of supporters into the league and cream in terms of attendance and visibility in the league, now that’s a positive for selling our league. The cash injection will help the club, it serves as a motivation, now players will have their monthly dues consistently and maybe bonuses,” she said.

Extension Gunners supporters chairperson, Chris Mashiakgomo said the partnership would serve as a stimulant for growth.

“As supporters, we are very happy for this development because we have been struggling as a team. We did not have sponsorship and as you know, football is very expensive to run. We have especially noticed that it is challenging to play in the premier league without sponsorship. We have to take into consideration welfare of players, travelling is expensive and the prize money was not able to cover the costs,” he said.

Mashiakgomo appreciated the investor for gracing the team’s match for the first time on Saturday, adding that his presence boosted Gunners supporters’ morale.

“It was a good thing that supporters also came in good numbers. Investors are attracted by the number of supporters following the team and so it was a good first impression. His presence also made a difference in a lot of ways,” he said.

Mashiakgomo stated that Gunners had registered supporters in America and Canada who had formed a branch and a committee, adding that it was these supporters who helped the team financially during the time when it had no sponsor.

“They bought us football equipment from oversees and brought it here. Other branches also contributed to assist the team, they took the initiative to host the team. We have been having challenges and we consolidated branches to host the team. Going forward, it will help a lot, that as supporters we keep on supporting the team and the investor. It will be a motivating factor,” he said.

He said they anticipated that a meeting would be arranged for Kgomongwe to meet chairpersons of local branches, adding that they intended to work hard to retain the sponsor.

Worldwide, societies face challenges when investors pull back, Mashiakgomo said and added, “we will strive to retain him. We must make sure that as supporters, we behave well. Who knows? Maybe he might be the force that attracts more investors to the team.”

For his part, Extension Gunners head coach, Proper Monnaanoka said the new investor was a morale booster.

“We have had dry spells and so, when this happens, it boosts players’ morale. That is what contributed to our good game play today. We will fight harder going forward. Right now we are fighting tooth and nail to avoid relegation. We plan to beef up our squad with strikers because we were able to win the ball and play but we did not score goals,” said Monnaanoka. ENDS