Township Rollers FC coach Thabo Motang has hailed the impact of former Mamelodi Sundowns winger Mogakolodi ‘Tsotso’ Ngele on up-and-coming players in the Botswana Premier League team’s squad.
Motang said Ngele’s enthusiasm and hunger for training were rubbing off the up-and-coming players and newcomers in the team.
“We have let go of about eleven players and brought on board new ones; some experienced like Tsotso Ngele, who has continued to display passion in training; and others who are younger and also hungry.
“I have been looking at the talent we have and varying the way we have been playing to try to make the best use of the talent we have,” Motang told the club’s website.
The 31-year-old has relaunched his career back home in Botswana after signing for Rollers recently following his return from South Africa.
Ngele wound up his career in South Africa after a stint at Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila, following spells from Sundowns, SuperSport United, Bidvest Wits, Black Leopards and Platinum Stars.
The former Zebras player rejoined Rollers after having played them for two seasons until 2012 following his earlier switch from Santos.
Meanwhile, Rollers took their pre-season training to Lesotho over the weekend to fine-tune with the country’s Premier League top sides Bantu and Lioli at the Setsoto Stadium.
Motang is quoted saying the friendlies in Maseru would help him assess his squad’s preparedness for the new season.
“The Bantu and Lioli games will give us the opportunity to continue to test combinations. We have scored a lot of goals in pre-season (in the closed-door games with Notwane as well as the public Selibe Phikwe Pre-Season Tournament and the 5-0 win over Mochudi Centre Chiefs),” he said.
“Last weekend against Centre Chiefs, we gave different players a run in the two halves of the game, and we continued to have an offensive game.
“But more than the result, getting the team to gel and develop good physical shape and tactical awareness is an important outcome we seek,” revealed Motang.
Rollers benefited from the trip to Lesotho as they beat Lolli 3-1 and drew 0-0 with Bantu.
