Mikia Kalati
BANTU coach James Madidilane has hinted that he could leave the club after he made history by becoming the first coach at the club to leading his side to its second successive league title in the just ended season Econet Premier League season.
Madidilane, who joined the side in July 2016, led a determined Bantu into his second with two games to go despite a tumultuous season that was riddled with cheating scandals.
His team was this year docked of three points and three goals that were awarded to arch-rivals, Lioli after the opponents complained that they had fielded four irregularly registered players.
Bantu were found guilty of registering four more than the stipulated five foreign players when they fielded Thabo Selisa, Itumeleng Falene, Molaoa Pheko and Phumoha Matsipa in their December 2017 match against Lioli.
After the loss of the case, Bantu lodged an appeal and argued that Lioli had fraudulently acquired the evidence used in the case but eventually lost the appeal.
The former South Africa international revealed to the Lesotho Times on Tuesday that he is undecided about his future with the Mafeteng outfit.
Madidilane said he is split over his future with the club.
“One part of me wants to leave the country and another part wants to stay put and go to the CAF Champions League and try to make it past the preliminary round.
“That is what I am going through. I do not know what to do but come next month I will have an answer,” he said.
Without being explicit, Madidilane also implied that there were times that he felt betrayed by his bosses at the club.
“The way things happened at the club are part of the reason that I want to leave. There are instances where management is always going to fail a person.
“There are times when even if it is not about the money you feel people are not appreciative enough of you hard work,” he said.
The former Bloemfontein Celtic gaffer said although he has not received any offers from any club, he still sees himself coaching in the South African Premier League (PSL).
“I do not have any offers in South Africa as I am still in Lesotho but I am going home on Thursday (today) and I will see how it goes.
“There was a time when I was fed up of the situation and how things were going. I am still a young coach, I still feel even if I go back to Bloemfontein Celtic, where I was coaching before, I will still develop. I still have a long way to go but I know where I want to see myself in five years.
“I see myself in the PSL but before I get there I have to make sure I make my steps very well,” he said.
The coach showered praises on the Bantu supporters whom he said made him remain in his job even when he wanted to quit. He however, said he feels there are some issues that he feels management mishandled.
Added Madidilane: “I am so proud and I do not how to thank the supporters. They supported us even when the chips were down and were steadfastly behind the technical team and the players.
“However, there are so many instances where I felt failed the management even when I still say they supported me.
“I could see that these people are behind me but I still felt let down as a coach.
“I guess people will have to wait until next month to know whether or not I will be staying,” Madidilane said.
Madidilane said he was proud of the success that he has enjoyed with the outfit having won three trophies in two seasons.
“To be honest, I was not even aware that it is the first time that the team has managed to win back-to-back league titles, but as a young coach, I am very proud of the achievement,” Madidilane said.
“We have managed to achieve all this with Ntate Bob Mafoso (assistant coach) and everyone else we worked with.
“It was not all about me, but the whole technical team and it was also a very challenging which makes it special that in the end we won the trophy,” Madidilane said.
