Africa-Press – Botswana. Mogomotsi ‘Teenage’ Mpote’s deal as Zebras coach on a three-year contract has not been sealed, according to the Botswana Football Association (BFA).
Despite reports, the coach has signed a lucrative contract that will see him earn P100,000 per month, BFA CEO, Mfolo Mfolo, without mentioning names, said the mother body is still negotiating with the potential candidate.
“We are still negotiating with the potential appointee,” Mfolo briefly said. It has been widely speculated that the potential appointee is Mpote. Recently, Mpote confirmed putting pen to paper on a three-year deal.
The Orapa United coach was the Botswana Football Association’s (BFA) preferred candidate after his appointment on an interim basis last year. After the BFA’s delays in making an official announcement regarding the appointment, speculation has been rife that there is a deadlock in the talks.
It emerged from sources this week that Mpote had not put pen to paper, as several issues were holding the deal back.
“It is about the length of the deal; Mpote wanted a longer contract. The amount offered is around P75,000 and the coach wants clarity on some benefits,” the source said. However, Mpote said he had sealed the deal and the length of the contract is three years, adding further confusion to the matter. Mpote remains Orapa United coach despite his new role at Zebras.
Mpote took charge of the team at the COSAFA Cup where they lost on penalties to Zambia.
The team also failed to progress in the Africa Nations Championships (CHAN) where they fell at the last hurdle against Madagascar.
Still, the BFA had seen enough and was convinced to give Mpote the role on a permanent basis. The BFA technical committee had recommended Mpote’s appointment even before the CHAN qualifiers.
If appointed, Mpote will be tasked with returning the Zebras to their glory days and attempting to qualify for next year’s AFCON finals. The team faces an uphill task in a group that has Tunisia, Libya, and Equatorial Guinea.
The Zebras have one point from two matches, with the qualifiers due to continue next year in March. His latest assignment came against Bafana Bafana in a friendly match last month in which the Zebras lost 1-0 in Johannesburg.
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