GAZETTE REPORTER
Botswana Premier league giants Extension Gunners who are still languishing second rock bottom are still optimistic that they will survive relegation before end of the season.
The club chairman, Bruno Masisi told Gazette Sport that their poor run of form which currently sees them with 10 points from 16 games can be attributed to the fact that they have only assembled a new team.
“Let us understand that we have completely built a new team and ultimately they will start gelling. We have also changed coaches time and again but I am confident that with the remaining 14 games we will start picking points. Relegating Extension Gunners has not even crossed our minds,” said Masisi.
Masisi admitted that changing of coaches during the course of the season has destabilized their progress adding that it is unfortunate that in many instances they found it inevitable to change coaches.
“I have full confidence and belief that the current technical team will take us throughout the season and I must say that we are working hard to motivate our players as management because we have been in discussions with potential sponsors,” he said.
He highlighted that as part of motivating the players, they intend to introduce winning bonuses adding that they have been dependent on club veterans, supporters’ branches and gate takings.
“We believe that we will soon have money to fund our plans to introduce bonuses because we had it last season and we have since realized that it has a lot of positive impact on players,” said Masisi.
Masisi said it has proven to be difficult playing a league without sponsors adding that it is one of the contributing factors to their poor performance.
“I believe that whatever comes to the league administration it must be channeled to all clubs so that there is competition,” added Masisi.
For his part Extension Gunners Head coach Thabo Motang said players are starting to gel together adding that their priority is to ensure that the club survives the relegation.
“We have inexperienced boys but the positive lining is that they are starting to gel together,” said Motang.
He further said he recently met with the club management to discuss several issues which can motivate the players to produce positive results.
“All that is left is on the part of management to implement and I believe that once we have addressed everything then results will start coming,” he said.
Motang said with the Orange FA cup also coming up soon, the intention is to prioritize solidifying the league status.
“Whatever that comes will be a bonus but right now is not about Gunners winning the cup and getting relegated but rather about Gunners maybe not winning the cup but sustaining the premier league status,” said Motang.
Since the start of the league last year, Gunners have only won twice, 4 draws and suffered 10 losses.
Recently, the Peleng giants were also recently in hot soup over a possible transfer ban instructed by FIFA, in a similar case which included outstanding payments of Zimbabwean international Kudzanani Machazani, amortization arrangement with BFA were made which satisfied the world football governing body.
Last year, Notwane, Extension Gunners, Mahalapye Railway Highlanders, Gilport Lions and Mogoditshane Fighters also failed to clear the licensing hurdle but they were successful in their appeals after citing COVID-19 challenges and were pardoned by the BFA’s Appeals Body to remain in the league.