GU players spark SA agents’ interest at COSAFA Cup

Gaborone United attackers, Mpho Kgaswane and Benson Shilongo are believed to have caught the interest of some South African agents at the ongoing COSAFA Cup tournament in South Africa.

 
Kgaswane made his second appearance for the Zebras on Sunday, where they salvaged a 7-6 victory on penalty shootouts over hosts South Africa, while Shilongo played his second game of the tournament as Namibia eliminated defending champions Zambia 5-4 also on the shootouts.

 
Despite starting only two games for Namibia at the tournament, Gazette Sport understands that GU marksman Shilongo left some agents that graced last week’s clash between Namibia and Madagascar at the Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace in awe after bagging this year’s first brace of the tournament.
One South African agent, Sinesipho Mali was quick to point out Shilongo as one of the players many should look out for as the tournament proceeds.

 
“Shilongo is a good striker, scored two goals in his first game, has a great work ethic and his technical awareness is also good. I have done some research on him and learned that he is currently playing in Botswana. I also asked some of my guys in Namibia about him. He is definitely one to watch,” said the agent.
Another source with ties to local football also revealed that he had to do some answering after one agent questioned about the GU striker. “He asked me his age and when his contract was coming to an end. We also discussed how the striker has been performing domestically. He also asked me if the player has an agent,” said the source.

 
This publication can however reveal that the Mascom Top 8 Top Goal scorer is currently without an agent and his contract with the Gaborone based club is due to end in June 2016. The source ended by confirming that the agent was impressed by the striker. Gazette Sport can also divulge that Shilongo was once invited for a week long trial at Soweto giants, Orlando Pirates in 2011, but failed to make the cut.

 
Kgaswane is another who is believed to have got agents’ heads wagging at the COSAFA Cup. The left footed midfielder played the entire 90 minutes of the quarter-final clash against South Africa and converted during the penalty shootout.

 
A South Africa soccer pundit working for Kickoff magazine, could not hold his praise on the nimble attacker.
“I was impressed with the Botswana jersey number 10 (Kgaswane), he is a good attacking midfielder. He is a typical number 10, your Sibusiso Vilakazi kind of player. I think he has everything to make it in the PSL,” said Ernest Fakude
One of South Africa’s most successful gaffers of all time, Ted Dumitru was another who was impressed with the improvement of the Botswana players.
“There are some very good young players in the team and I think the team has really improved. I think players such as number 10 (Mpho Kgaswane) and the number 4 defender (Mosha Gaolaolwe) really have a bright future. The problem I see is the approach and system of the team, it is too far rigid to allow them to display their attributes.” said the former Mamelodi Sundowns coach.

 
When reached for comment, on basis of the club’s willingness to release the players despite being their first season with the team, Moyagoleele’s Public Relations Officer Brown made it clear that they are ready to listen to any international interest on the players.

 
“One thing we want to make clear at GU is that we want to see our players having better lives out of football. We showed that by allowing our players such as Dipsy (Selolwane), Noah Maposa and Ofentse Nato to play in South Africa. If any offer would come for the players we will not stand in their way but as for now, there has not been any interest for the players,” said Brown.

 
The national team coach, Peter Butler has also previously made it known that he is willing to help Batswana players seal deals with overseas based clubs out of his links with sides from outside the continent.