Galaxy in talks with Sithole, Bright

Mabhena to assume the assistant coach role

LETLHOGILE MPUANG

Last season’s beMOBILE Premiership rookies, Jwaneng Galaxy are currently in talks with two high profile coaches in Mike Sithole and former Black Leopards coach Major David Bright over the vacancy of head coach position for the start of next season, Gazette Sport understands. The Jwaneng side finished an impressive seventh on the log, under the guidance of Zimbabwean gaffer Philani Mabhena who replaced current national team assistant coach Oris Radipotsane midway through last season.
Mabhena turned Galaxy into one of the most exciting sides to watch in the local league, which saw players such as January signing Thero Setsile, Tshepo Borake and Goalkeeper of the Season nominee Anthony Gouws emerge as some of the stand-outs players of the 2015/16 season.
Despite the above mentioned heroics, word reaching this publication from sources within the club’s ranks has revealed that the club is on the verge of appointing a new coach, with Mabhena set to relegated to be assistant coach. “The team will have a new coach for next season, and the current coach is likely to remain, but as assistant coach,” said a source.
He divulged that two names have been whispered in the club’s corridors are of Mochudi Centre Chiefs’ Sithole and Bright. “Bright and Sithole are the two names that are being mentioned, the club has talked to both coaches about the prospect of them coming here, and both have expressed their interest of being part of the team. The team wants to challenge for honours next season, and that is mainly the reason why the management has chosen to go for a high profile coach,” added the source.
“Sithole is the most likely of the two, since he has no problems with having Mabhena as his assistant. As for Bright, he has told the management that he will be bring his own technical team if appointed as coach, this is something the club is not keen on, they are against getting rid of Mabhena considering his good relationship and understanding with the players,” ended the informer.
When reached for comment, Galaxy chairman Njabulo Gilika dismissed the reports. “I do not know anything about such reports, it is all news to me,” briefly said Gilika. Gilport Lions are also rumored to be monitoring the situation of the former national under 23 coach, after South African veteran coach Mlungisi Ngubane parted ways with the club for unspecified reasons. Ngubane was reportedly set to be in the dug-out at the club at the start of next season.