- He is yet to receive work permit
- Rollers said to be looking at life without Zapata
LETLHOGILE MPUANG
More than a month after being appointed as the new man at the helm of Township Rollers Rodolfo Zapata remains on the sidelines as he is yet to receive his work permit. According to the the latest reports reaching this publication the former Gaborone United gaffer is growing very frustrated and could be on his way out of the club.
Zapata took over the reins at Rollers after Nikola Kavazovic dumped Popa for AC Leopards in Kenya. However, since his appointment he has only been able to watch the team from the stands as a result of work permit issues. Reports previously cited Zapata’s former employees in GU as the reason why the Argentinian coach’s work permit is pending. Gazette Sport also understands that before Zapata left GU last year, his work permit with the club was due to expire in June 2019.
A source close to the developments has told this publication that Zapata remains in the lurch, and no one knows whether his new work permit will be issued.
“It is very frustrating, all he does is watch the games and practice. Everyone is just in the dark on his work permit. There have been engagements between Rollers and GU, but it seems like GU are delaying to cancel the existing work permit, which will free him to be issued a new one,” said a source.
The source further added that, “Zapata continues to remian patient, but if this goes on to next year, he is very likely to leave. He currently has offers, and he has hinted that he might consider them if this contiues to drag,” said the source.
Another source has also told Gazette Sport that Rollers have also started to prepare for life without Zapata. It is believed that the club has been in contact with a few coaches regarding the possibility of taking over after Zapata.
“There has been a few engagements with some foreign coaches from Europe. The club is preparing itself that in the case this issue drags on, they have a replacement for Zapata,” said a source close to the team.
Rollers Public Relations Officer (PRO) Bafana Pheto however said the club was positive that the coach would receive his work permit.
“We have been consistently checking on the relevant authorities on the progress of the work permit, and we are hopeful that it will be released soon. We have long passed the stage of engaging with GU, and submitted all needed documents three weeks ago. We understand that it takes at least 3-4 weeks,” Pheto told this newspaper.
Asked about whether the club have been in talks with any foreign coach and also possible offers that Zapata might be having, he said. “No, it is not true about interviewing any other coach,” he denied. “We are also unaware if the coach has any offers from elsewhere, its news to us.”