THEY say: better late than sorry!
But it looks like Baroka FC chairman Khurishi Mphahlele has twisted Geoffrey Chaucer’s classic idiom, and for him the damage has already done.
He was slow in deciding to sack Kgoloko Thobejane and Matsemela Thoka earlier and roped in Vincent Kobola with only four matches to conclude the 2021-22 DStv Premiership season.
And they got relegated.
Now Mphahlele has come to his right senses and have
retained the services of Kobola ahead of their new chapter in the GladAfrica Championship.
Mphahlele told SunSport that Kobola is the right man for take Bakgaga back to the PSL’s land of milk and honey. Kobola replaced Thobejane who was demoted to the DStv Diski Challenge side last month after causing extensive damage that saw the club claim zero away points..
Kobola proved his worth having lost only one match out of four games that he was in charge – beat Golden Arrows 1-0, drew 2-2 with Chippa United, thrashed SuperSport United 3-1 and lost 1-0 to Maritzburg United.
Mphahlele shouldered the blame for the club being relegated as he admits to leaving Thoka and Thobejane far too long on the bench.
“Kobola is busy working now, preparing the team for the up coming season in the Championship,” said Mphahlele.
Mphahlele revealed that his star striker Evidence Makgopa will leave the club having received offers from Soweto giants Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs.
It’s believed that Chiefs have already offered the Bafana Bafana prolific scorer a contract.
But Mphahlele emphasised that nothing has been finalised with either side until Makgopa returns from holiday.
“The players have gone on holiday, so we will wait for Makgopa to return (before the deal is finalised).”
He further said that he will keep majority of his experienced players in the Championship quashing rumours that the club will part ways with players such as defenders Bonginkosi Makume, Denwin Farmer, Vusi Sibiya, striker Richard Mbulu, plus midfielders Manuel Kambala and Nhlanhla Mgaga.
Makume’s contract will expire in June but the club will exercise the option to renew it.
Another player whose contract will expire in June is Leonardo Affonso, who has hardly played since he arrived.
