MASERU — Bafokeng Mohapi’s future as Bantu coach is in doubt after he missed eight of the team’s last eight games of the Vodacom Premier League because of “personal problems”.
Bantu, who finished sixth in just-ended season are expected to resolve their coaching crisis before they start preparing for the next campaign.
Mohapi has given the clearest hint yet that he could be parting ways with the club by thanking Bantu — who were marking their return to top-flight football — for having given him the opportunity to coach the team.
The team had been relegated in 2004.
“I would like to thank Bantu — they are a wonderful team with great management, great supporters and great players,” Mohapi told the Lesotho Times on Monday in what could pass as a good-bye message.
He however would not discuss his future at the helm of the team nor give details of the “personal problems” that kept him away from the Bantu bench as the season petered out.
“I had problems and I still have them,” Mohapi said without elaborating.
Mohapi has in the past coached Majantja and Mohale’s Hoek Young Stars.
Bantu’s technical director Mosito Mabena, team manager Chabeli Setho and club vice-secretary Cyprian Ramogale were in charge during Mohapi’s absence.
Ramogale refused to comment on the coach’ tenure, only saying the club’s future would be mapped out after executive committee elections during the off-season.
He also denied that Mohapi’s absence could have affected the team’s form as Bantu struggled to keep pace with the other teams that were gunning for a top-four finish.
“Our boys were tired after they gave a lot during the season which was however not enough,” Ramogale told the Lesotho Times.
“It’s still a big achievement for us to finish in the top six.”
