Lulu gets to officialise his new Botswana deal

WEEKS after his divorce with Botswana Premiership side Masitaoka FC, ex-Highlanders coach Mandla “Lulu” Mpofu left the country on Tuesday to negotiate a new deal with Sua Flamingoes who play in the same league.

At Sua Flamingoes, Mpofu who will be in his second foreign coaching job in Botswana, will replace Nikola Kavazovic, who resigned late last month.

After getting a tip off from impeccable Plumtree Border officials that Mpofu was undergoing his immigration procedures on his way to Botswana, a quick WhatsApp text was sent to the Zimbabwean gaffer and he went: “Who has told you? Yes, I’m on my way. I’m at the border.”

Pressed on with other questions concerning his new deal, he insisted he was travelling before he later confirmed he had safely arrived at his new base on Tuesday night at around 9pm.

“There will be the signing of the contract after that I will take interviews from the guys (journalists) from this side,” said the former Warriors assistant coach.

True to his sentiments, Mpofu was introduced to the Sua Flamingoes players and the technical team yesterday morning. At the club, Mpofu will join fellow Zimbabwean Cleopas Dube, a former Highlanders and ZPC Hwange striker who also had a playing stint in South Africa.

In their statement after hiring the coach Sua Flamingoes said they were delighted to appoint Mpofu on a one-year contract reckoning that he has a strong track record of developing players and understanding the importance of the link from the academy and would be very important to the club.

At the now defunct Bantu Rovers Academy, Mpofu, groomed a number of celebrated Zimbabwe players that include ex Aston Villa midfielder Marvellous Nakamba, Kudakwashe Mahachi, United States of America (USA) based Teenage Hadebe, Nqobizitha Masuku and ex Warriors captain Danny “Deco” Phiri.

Mpofu joined Gaborone based Masitaoka in August 2022 when he was unattached and this was a few months after he had parted ways with Highlanders.

In his 11 months stay at the club, from 34 official games, he won 16, drew four and lost 14 to finish on position seven with 43 points as well as taking them to the Orange FA Cup Season semifinals.

Following Masitaoka fine performance at the Orange FA Cup Season contest, the former Warriors assistant coach was listed for the 2023Orange Cup Coach of the Tournament nominees.

It was unfortunate he did not grab the accolade which could have added another feather on the CAF A holder’s curriculum vitae. — @FungaiMuderere