Baroka coach wants his players to stay

BAROKA FC might have lost out on the opportunity to play in the Absa Premier Soccer League (PSL) next season following a 1-1 draw against Thanda Royal Zulu on Sunday, but their head coach, Sello Chokoe, is keen to keep the core of the squad as it is.

He pleaded with other teams interested in his players not to sign them only to bench them later.

The Ga-Mphahlele-based club is set to lose star midfielder, Thabiso Kutumela, who is on the wanted list of PSL club, Platinum Stars, as well as their captain, Gift Motupa, who is likely to join current PSL champions, Mamelodi Sundowns.

Motupa is the club’s leading goal scorer, while Kutumela’s hat trick against Roses United and powerful strikes against Milano United and Chippa United made him a household name in the National First Division.

Chokoe said the majority of the players were in their early twenties and he would like to keep them for another season, saying that would give them time to gain more experience.

“If Sundowns signs Motupa, are they going to play him? If Platinum Stars have Kutumela on their books, will they play him? I do not think so. These boys are not ready to play in the PSL and the least these clubs can do is to continue monitoring them and assist us in nurturing them into quality players,” Chokoe lamented.

“I would be relieved if it was SuperSport United or Ajax Cape Town who intended to sign the boys, because these clubs believe in youngsters and they give them the opportunity to showcase their talent. Don’t just lure our players and bench them,” added the former Atlie FC mentor.

Chokoe said it would not be a the greatest problem for his team if he lost two players, but emphasised that keeping the players would put them in a better position to fight for top honours next season.