Zapata unlikely to return to GU

Zackhem exit a financial nightmare at the club

LETLHOGILE MPUANG

Gaborone United’s high profiled Argentinean coach Rudolf Zapata is highly unlikely to return back to the club, with the side facing dreadful financial woes since the departure of major shareholder Nicholas Zackhem. Zapata joined United in January, following the back to back sacking of Rahman Gumbo and Dragojlo Stanojlović between the months of October and December 2015.
With the league title out of site and the club already eliminated from the Mascom Top 8 upon his arrival, his first duties was to help the club finish in a rather respectable position in the league. In his 11 games in charge, the outspoken tactician lead Moyagolele to an impressive fate of eight wins, one draw and two defeats which saw the club finish 5th on the log standings.
However, in a season (2016/17) where the coach is expected to deliver silverware to the Red side of Gaborone as outlined in his mandate, Gazette Sport understands that 50 year old might not return back for his duties due to the club being unable to afford his fees anymore. In an interview from his home town Buenos Aires, Argentina, Zapata told this publication he was also uncertain of his return to the club.
“I’m still in Argentina waiting for board’s decision to travel, of course I am aware of what is happening at club,” said Zapata. The former Mpumalanga Black Aces coach says he however believes he has “left a path” to be followed by those remaining at the club. “My objectives were defined and geared towards shaping better players, both on an individual level and as a team, and also towards helping promote GU growth with a solid setup. We did, we got excellent results in few games. I showed them the “path to follow,” he added.
Pressed for further answers, he said “Last time Rapula (GU Chairman) told me to wait,but I don’t really know until when. We already wasted two important pre-season weeks,” ended the Argentinean. Reached for comment last week, the club’s Secretary General City Senne confirmed that they were also unsure whether the coach would be reporting back for duty at the club.
“We have told him to wait, we are meeting this Saturday (GU AGM held this past Saturday), that is where a decision on whether the coach will be coming back or not will be taken. With the investor not part of the club it is going to be difficult to afford him,” briefly said Senne. According to reports, the anticipated AGM did go through as planned with the club’s members present for the meeting failing to form a quorum, adding a further dent to chances of the coach returning.