BONGANI MALUNGA
In an interesting turn of events, Nikola Kavazovic and Rodolfo Zapata will move in opposite directions in their respective coaching careers. Kavazovic, who left Township Rollers this month, has been confirmed as the new AFC Leopards coach while
AFC Leopards has a history of being impatient with coaches, they have hired four coaches in the last two years, the last three coaches have not lasted for a full season at the Kenyan club. Kavazovic, who is a well travelled coach, will be tasked with ending the club’s 20 year league title drought.
Kavazovic’s Rollers replacement, Zapata, is poised to be named as the new Rollers coach.
Rollers officially confirmed that they were finalizing a deal with Zapata last week, only an announcement is pending as the former Gaborone United coach is edging closer to landing his dream job.
Zapata had previously been in charge of Kenyan club AFC Leopards for just five months, he had led the club to a seventh place finish. The Argentine tactician had signed a two year deal but both parties agreed to terminate his contract recently.
Zapata will inherit an unbeaten team which is currently at the top of the BTC Premiership table, he also has CAF Champions League football to look forward to. The South American coach will finally get a chance to coach Joel Morogorosi, who is a player Zapata coveted during his Gaborone United days, the coach was close to signing Mogorosi as the player’s contract with Rollers had ended but they later renewed his deal.
A reunion with exciting striker Tumisang Orebonye is also on the cards, Zapata got the best out of the striker during his Moyagoleele spell and the same will be expected at Popa, Orebonye has already started the season well scoring important goals but he could reach another level under Zapata.