Mikia Kalati
BAFOKENG Mohapi has been appointed as the new man in the Bantu coaching hot seat following the sacking of Motlatsi Shale last week.
Shale returned to Bantu last November and replaced Katiso Mojakhomo who was fired due to poor results. However, Shale was also shown the door after losing all the four matches he had been in charge before the end of the first round of the premier league.
Announcing the appointment on Tuesday, the club’s Public Relations Officer, Motlatsi Mofokeng, said Mohapi would mentor the Mafeteng outfit until the end of the season.
“We have appointed Ntate Mohapi as our new coach until the end of the season and he will be assisted by Caswell Moru,” Mofokeng said.
“The mandate of the coach is to ensure the club ends the season among the top four teams in the Vodacom Premier League. Winning the title would be a bonus for the coach and the team.
“He is also mandated with retaining the LNIG Top 8 title, which we won last year.”
Bantu, Mofokeng said, was also in the process of replenishing its squad in the January transfer window after shipping out a host of players deemed excess to requirements.
“We have identified a few players to beef up our squad and are still in negotiations with their clubs,” he said.
“The plan is to bring in quality players that can help the team end the season in a respectable position.”
Meanwhile, the second round of the Vodacom Premier League will get underway on Saturday 16 January with Kick4Life facing off with Rovers, while Mphatlatsane will host fellow strugglers Liphakoe. The last match of the day will see Likhopo hosting LDF.
On the next day, Matlama will foray to Butha-Buthe to face first round in-form team Sundawana who went on a six-match unbeaten run to end the year in third position.
League leaders Lioli will host third from bottom LMPS at Setsoto Stadium, while Linare will be at home to LCS.
Tse Nala are currently at the summit of the Vodacom Premier League with 27 points after 12 matches, and have a point advantage over Matlama.
The last match on Sunday will see Bantu at home to Likila United at the Leshoboro Stadium in Mafeteng.
Second round opening fixtures
Saturday January 16
Kick4Life v Rovers
Mphatlalatsane v Liphakoe
Likhopo v LDF
Sunday 17
Lioli v LMPS
Sundawana v Matlama
Linare v LCS
Bantu v Likila United
