Mogomotsi Teenage Mpote’s future at Township Rollers may be hanging in the balance, unless Mark Harrison saves him.

Mpote’s contract expires in January. As standard practice, the head coach is entitled to choose his own right arm, but it was a different issue with the defending champions who hired Harrison while Mpote‘s contract was still running. It is said the two coaches have not really seen eye to eye in the daily planning of team activities.

However, what is not clear is whether Harrison will want his assistant coach‘s contract to be renewed once it expires in the next two months. On the other hand, Rollers’ goal keeper coach, Thabo Motang is rumored to be eyeing the post, and hopes Harrison will pick him should he be given the opportunity to select his own assistant.

As things stand, Rollers’ entire technical team is in between a rock and a hard place, and does not know whether to continue with Mpote or cajole Harrison to go for Motang. Prior to his fall, Motang doubled as an assistant coach and goal keeper mentor. He left the club in 2013 and won a legal battle before finding new love with Extension Gunners and Gaborone United. The former national team goal keeper is back at The Blues after the two parties reconciled.

While it is reported that there is little that separates the two coaches, the selection of Motang is likely to trigger a back lash particularly that the goalkeeping department will suffer. Harrison‘s phone rang without being answered but Motang when contacted said, ‘‘I am happy as a goal keeper coach and I do not have interest in assisting Harrison.’’

Obviously Motang, who has spent more years at Township Rollers than Mpote, is likely to come (if appointed) as a strain on the Rollers coffers, reports say. However, highly placed sources at Rollers dismissed the issue as ‘nothing complicated’ because Harrison will soon be given the mandate to opt for his man. The members admit it might be costly to dump Mpote who also assisted former coach Madinda Ndlovu but are quick to say there are other factors that could prove decisive in him retaining his post.

They claim that the former miscellaneous man is also a great motivator of players and understand well the culture of the team as opposed to Motang. There are instances where he has led the Gaborone giants when a head coach is on suspension.
Mpote refused to comment further fuelling speculations that he does not want to risk his job – a scenario currently playing itself out that he is afraid to challenge and/or advice Harrison regarding the team preparations.