Chris Theko
Premier League giants, Bantu is back to searching ways as it now once again is faced with the crisis of sailing like a ship without a captain after showing head coach Teboho TÅ¡iu and his technical team the door.
The club have parted ways with the entire technical team ahead of the new footballing season.
The announcement which was made in a statement by the club on Wednesday revealed that the team has released the coach along with his assistant, Dlomo Monaphathi, former captain and assistant coach Thapelo Mokhehle and goalkeeper coach Liteboho Mokhesi.
Last season, in a bid to change their fortunes around and go back to winning ways, the Mafeteng-based outfit had brought back TÅ¡iu who was former assistant to then coach Bob Mafoso who had opted for rivals Lioli FC of TY at the expiration of his contract following a successful season which saw his charges win the premiership.
Shortly after Mafoso’s departure from ‘A Matšo Matebele’, the former Champions had brought-in foreigner Thabo Tšutšulupa from South Africa, but who soon received his marching orders a month later for a string of poor results.
Then TÅ¡iu was roped back in to steer the ship for the remaining four months before end of season with option for renewal which was not to be.
Bantu General Manager, Poosela Pule confirmed the exodus which he described as contractual expiration.
“Yes we have indeed released the technical team inclusive of the head coach because of contract expiry and the performance in the recently ended season which was not impressive hence the club’s decision not to renew their contracts,†Pule revealed, adding that that the concern of the team’s management was that when only letting go of the head coach, the style of play which was not so impressive would definitely continue hence the decision to start afresh.
The club also parted ways with two of its senior and key players, striker Mokone Marabe and goalkeeper Thabo Selisa whose contracts also expired.
“The two players have been with the club for a very long time and had become an integral part of the Bantu family but unfortunately the management decided not to renew their contracts also, reason being we want to start a fresh squad made-up mostly of young players,†he said.
Usually, technical decisions such as which players to rope-in as well as which ones to let go are the purview of the coach, but since Bantu is without a whole technical team, thus Pule stated that as soon as the new coach is engaged, he would be the sole decision-maker on who joins the team.
“We already have a team on the ground working tirelessly assessing which coach to bring in. When that new coach comes he will make his decision on who he wants in and out of his team. So, for instance, if he says he wants Marabe, the player will indeed be recalled and offered a contract,†said Pule.
