THABANG REGOENG
British coach Mark Harrison’s future at Township Rollers has been in intense speculation in recent weeks after reports linked him with a return to the Absa Premiership. However, Harrison has broken the silence by stating Rollers Director Jagdish Shah’s willingness to extend his contract at the end of the season.
The former Chippa United coach says he has been given assurances by Shah to renew his contract which is set to end at the end of May. According to reports within the club the Blues have been planning on offering Harrison a new contract for quite some time, but official talks had to take a back seat while the club attempted to resolve players’ contracts first.
Earlier last month Harrison revealed that his future at the club is uncertain after talks were delayed pointing he might be open to a return to his South Africa. However Shah and Rollers have given the Briton their full backing with the club now keen on embarking continental championships in CAF Championships League.
“My sole ambition when I signed for Rollers was to take the club in to the CAF Champions League because that is where all the best players in the continent take part in. Rollers is a big club and I want to take the club to greater heights and win trophies here. We have got a really good squad with a mixture of youth and experience so we can go really far in the competition”, Harrison told Gazette Sport.
The 55 year old further revealed that he is in good terms with club director Jagdish Shah who he rates very highly.
“Jagdish has always supported since I joined Rollers assisting with everything I needed which is what a new manger would want when agreeing terms in joining a team. The club hierarchy also has been really welcoming so I have had a good experience of managing the biggest team in Botswana.I have met with Jagdish and he promised me that a renewal of my contract will take place at the end of the season so for now I can say that I will be with Rollers again next season,” he revealed.
Rollers who reportedly will be docked off 10 points for using Ofentse Nato as a defaulter won this past weekend against relegation threatened Green Lovers at Selibe Phikwe Stadium, however Harrison praised his charges for winning the Premiership despite the chaos surrounding the club.
“Look I don’t want to get in to trouble for my comments but what is happening right now is ridiculous so for me we are already the champions. Our boys have fought hard and earned the points through merit on the field of play, if any points have been docked tell our supporters that this whole thing will be overturned as per FIFA rules,” he concluded.