Mikia Kalati
THERE is an ambivalence to African societies all over the continent when it comes to how far to accept foreign influences which is reflected in actions and expressions that appear to contradict each other.
Back in the early 1990s, a then fresh-faced South African music diva, Sharon Dee’s popularised the expression ‘local is lekker’ in a song of the same name.
The message is a simple exhortation for locals to take pride in their own and one that appears to have fallen on deaf ears at Sandawana Football Club who relegated the local, Freeze Ntene to the role of second assistant coach in favour of Spaniard, Antonio Jesus Flores and his first assistant, French-born Eric Sarno.
And yet you could say there was nothing untoward in turning to foreign help because after all there is a general belief in most African countries that foreign, particularly European, is superior.
The local versus foreign coach debate always generates mixed feelings and this was certainly the case when Sandawana appointed Flores in February.
The decision divided opinion with some questioning whether the Spaniard was the real deal.
Ultimately time has the answer to the wisdom or lack of it in dumping a local in preference of a foreign coach.
But if Flores’ winless streak after four matches is anything to go by, then the naysayers must be saying we told you so.
Some suggested that no European coach worth his salt would come all the way to coach in Lesotho where football is still at amateur level and where there is not much by way of remuneration.
Two months down the line, questions continue to be asked about the capabilities of the Spaniard as things have gone from bad to worse for Sandawana.
In fact, the club last won a match- ironically Ntene’s last game in charge of the team against Linare.
Clearly something is not right for a team that were the surprise packages under Bob Mafoso last season, finishing in an impressive fourth place position to qualify for the Independence Tournament and LNIG Top competitions contested by the teams that finish first to eighth in the league.
I am not surprised that questions continue to be asked about the capabilities of Flores on social media especially in light of reports that he is pocketing a good salary from the club owned by popular traditional healer Thato ‘Sandawana’ Nkone.
In addition, the man whose only known coaching job was an unsuccessful stint in Uganda, has also been handed a flashy BMW to drive around in Butha Buthe as he discharges his duties.
Flores and Sarno have also been spotted being chauffeured in branded Sandawana cars to watch the likes of Bantu, Lioli and other big guns whenever Sandawana is not in action.
This is a luxury that even Likuena coaches have not been afforded to enable them to monitor national team players week in and week out.
Could this mean that Jesus is only in Lesotho to do the scouting job which was his first job in Africa? Would he be better off in that role rather than coach?
In his first job in Africa, the Spaniard joined the then Ugandan champions SC Villa in March 2015 as a scout with his main task being to help the club to market its players in Europe.
He was later given the position of head coach but he lasted only four months although the Ugandan side retained his services as a scout and ambassador.
For taking such a big step to make his team a big brand in the country, I think the Sandawana owner must be applauded.
Ntate Nkone seems really passionate about the game and I have no doubt that standards of football in the country can reach new heights with more people like him who are willing to invest their riches in sports.
There is nothing wrong with going as far as Europe in search of a quality coach to help Sandawana become a force to be reckoned with.
However, I believe that Mr Nkone might have skipped a few essential steps in by appointing Flores.
Perhaps the appointment came too soon for a team that has only been in existence for less than five years.
He should have prioritised putting in place proper infrastructure such as a stadium that meets international standards like the Maputsoe DIFA Ground that the club has to hire for their home matches.
I like the fact that Mr Nkone found a place where all his players stay under one roof on a daily basis and I think the right way to go about it is for the Sandawana boss to build a big facility to be used by all that serve his team including the playing grounds.
That process must begin with getting the right personnel to advise him on growing Sandawana’s brand internally and on the continent.
And as for Flores, only results will convince the doubting Thomases and the sooner he starts to deliver, the better for him.
I want to end this column by passing by condolences to the late Bloemfontein Celtic founder Petros Molemela who died on Sunday.
In his time in charge of the club, Molemela took a lot of our players under his wing such as Ronnie Malefetse, Tšeliso ‘Frisco’ Khomari, and Lekoaetose Mosala and in recent years the likes of Motlatsi Shale, the late Tšeliso Thite, Lebajoa Mphongoa and Lehlohonolo Seema who remains at the club as a coach.
The numbers prove that Ntate Molemela admired and loved the talent produced in the Mountain Kingdom.
We will forever be grateful that he gave our players a chance to showcase their God-given talent at the highest level.
