By Hlayisani Magoro
Club boss Khurishi Mphahlele has opened up on the future of head coach Dan Malesela amid speculations linking him with a move to multiple clubs, including those competing in the Dstv Premiership.
Malesela was roped in by Baroka at the beginning of October following an indifferent start to the Motsepe Foundation Championship season. The 58-year-old mentor quickly changed the fortunes of the club after finding them [Baroka] languishing at the bottom half of the table, the Limpopo-based side now lies third on the standings just three points behind table-toppers Orbit College.
Bakgaga are on course to achieving their ambitions of a top-flight return with their latest 2-1 win over Maritzburg United allowing them to close the gap on the top two teams in Orbit College and University of Pretoria who played out to a 2-2 draw when they clashed in their last match of 2023.
The tremendous job quickly done by Malesela at Baroka has led to clubs circling for his signature, however Mphahlele remains unfazed by the speculations as he believes Malesela is happy at the club and wants to stay.
“He is really happy here and brings supporters to our team and he is adding value,” Mphahlele told the media.
“I spoke to him yesterday, I understand he is bringing supporters from his place in Pretoria, so he is happy and organizing that. They will come to our matches and that shows that he wants to stay here with us,” he added.
The chairman appeared to issue a “hands off” warning when further addressing the rumours of “Dan Dance” potential departure.
“Its just like with our players when a team is doing well, there are people who want to reap where they didn’t sow. Dan was sitting at home for six months before he came to us, nobody was talking about him. Now he is here for three months and people like him, it is normal. Dan is doing a good job that is why everyone wants to associate with him,” he said.
