As the transfer window opened last week, talk was rife that Gaborone United and Extension Gunners, who both finished the first round of the Mascom Premier league on a low, would soon unveil new signings, all from the high riding Centre Chiefs.
The Kgatleng outfit Chiefs may have finished the First round on a high but rumours of players’ leaving gained merit recently when their star coach, Mike Sithole, also known as “Dubula Dubula” among Centre Chiefs fans, dropped a bombshell when he resigned from the club over the Christmas holidays.
Speculations are rife that Gaborone United, who fired under performer Shemi Hunidzarira have sealed the deal with the coach who last season helped Centre Chiefs finish 2nd in the league campaign. Centre Chiefs have confirmed the coach's departure but on Friday GU chairman Kelisitse Gilika refused to confirm or deny that his club has signed the former Centre Chiefs coach, saying details will be revealed at a press briefing to be held soon.
"We have to discuss these things as a Committee first, and then call a Press Conference. It is still too early to say anything as you might be aware that the GU office is only reopening for the New Year on Monday", he told Gazette Sport.
However Gazette Sport is informed that Sithole is not joining GU alone from the Kgatleng side and that two or three Centre Chiefs players, among them towering midfielder Oteng Moalosi, and former GU man Elijah Pheriepah will also be unveiled along with the new coach when GU finally hold their press conference. Centre Chiefs' crack striker, Pontsho Moloi whose father Patrick Zebochwa is a GU legend is also rumoured to be following Sithole to the Reds.
After clinching sponsorship deals worth more than P600 000 from chemical company STC, Zac construction, and recently O3, a water bottling company, GU seems to be in a position to attract star players.
Extension Gunners, who are also on the verge of unveiling a lucrative sponsorship deal negotiated by Rashid Chopdat, is also heavily rumoured to have convinced their former captain “Talk Talk” Motlhabankwe to come back home. He has been starring for Centre Chiefs. Gunners is said to be interested in Stanely Tsolope of Centre Chiefs, Tshepiso Molwantwa of Notwane, Abednico Powell of Ecco City Greens and an Indian player.
Word has it that in fact Gunners have convinced four Centre Chiefs players to decamp, but the man who is said to be pulling the strings, Chopdat on Friday pleaded innocent. "I am not a committee member. I am a supporter. Those could be just rumours. All I know as a supporter is that Gunners are courting several players in Gaborone and others in the North", Chopdat said when contacted.
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