Ex-Highlanders coach surfaces in Botswana

Former Highlanders and Bulawayo City coach Mandla Mpofu is set to take over as head coach of ambitious Botswana Premier League club Masitaoka FC.

FARPost has it on good authority that the former Zimbabwe national team assistant coach is set to be unveiled by the club after penning a one-year contract with the club.

Trust Nyambiya of TKT Sports Agency, who manages Mpofu confirmed the development.

“Yes I can confirm that Mandla Mpofu is now with Masitaoka FC. Mandla Mpofu had all the credentials that Masitaoka FC were looking for in a coach.

“They asked from recommendations from his past employers including the Zimbabwe Football Association and former Masitaoka player Walter Mukanga and they were impressed by the references which all spoke glowingly about Mandla Mpofu,” he said.

According to Nyambiya, the coach turned down offers from two Tanzanian league clubs as he believed Botswana is a better option to carve a niche.

“Mandla Mpofu also had some offers from Tanzania but he chose to go to Botswana because of its closeness to home in Bulawayo,” he added.

Mpofu was fired from Highlanders in May and was replaced by Portuguese gaffer Baltemar Brito.

At Masitaoka, Mpofu replaces Micheal Mogaladi, who left the club in a huff last month.

Former Dynamos midfielder Walter Mukanga was the last Zimbabwean to be in the club’s ranks.

The 2022/23 Botswana Premier League season kicks off next and Gaborone United will be looking to retain the title.

‘Lulu’, as he is affectionately known, will be competing against another compatriot Rahman Gumbo who is in charge of Sua Flamingoes. Gumbo is currently in Pretoria where his team is holding its pre-season preparations at the High-Performance Centre.

They arrived on Wednesday afternoon and will leave on Tuesday next week. Gumbo has previously coached Township Rollers and Mochudi Centre Chiefs.