Bongani Mafu joins Mochudi Centre Chiefs

FORMER Highlanders coach Bongani Mafu has been confirmed as the new head of the technical department at Botswana Premier League side Mochudi Centre Chiefs. Mafu left the country for the Botswana capital city Gaborone last Monday with the club general manager Zaahid Jalal. He is now waiting for his work permit to be processed so that he can officially start his duties at Mochudi.

Mafu and Jalal took with them two players from Bulawayo Chiefs, striker Stanley Ngala as well as winger Remington Masuku.

Ngala and Masuku were secured on a season's loan from the Zimbabwe Football Association Southern Region Division One side after they impressed during trials early this month. They turned out and scored for Mochudi in the Regent Matebejana Cup held at the National Stadium in Gaborone which Magosi won with a 2-1 victory over Extension Gunners in the final. The club already has another Zimbabwean in their books, former Chicken Inn defender Charles Mutero who joined them last season.

"The two players arrived in Botswana on Monday, they are on loan for a season. The coach recommended them, we watched them play in a tournament for us and we were impressed. We have finalised everything with the coach, we are already working on his permit,'' said Jalal.

Mafu is not the first Zimbabwean coach to take charge of Mochudi as Rahman Gumbo and Madinda Ndlovu have been at the club before him. He replaces Zambian Mike Sithole who has joined Jwaneng Galaxy after the expiry of his contract.

According to a fixtures draft sent out from the office of the Botswana Premier League chief executive officer the season is due to start on 9 September with Mochudi in action the following day away to Nico United at Selebi Phikwe Stadium.