Baroka FC head coach Dan "Dance" Malesela has revealed what might not be good news to the club's faithful regarding new signing Gift Motupa.
Motupa recently joined the Motsepe Foundation Championship club as a free agent and has so far not made an immediate impact.
With only nine league matches left, Malesela says it would be a big challenge for the former Mamelodi Sundowns striker to hit the ground running at the Limpopo club considering his fitness levels.
READ: Former Bafana captain raises hand for future call-up
With only nine matches remaining, Bakgaga finds themselves in position five on the log, and eight points separate them from leaders Magesi FC and University of Pretoria FC, who are both sat on top.
Furthermore, they next face third-placed Orbit FC at home in Lebowakgomo.
"Unfortunately, Gift Motupa had a groin problem - that’s our first problem," Malesela informs KickOff.
"And last week he had this long flu. he played a bit as a sub against Venda FC [Baroka lost that match 1-0].
"There’s a lot of stuff to work on concerning Gift, you know. because of the number of games we are left with, I don’t think he will be playing too many matches this season.
"Already he is out for the Orbit match. He hasn't been training, and (judging by) his fitness after seven days of not training, (it) is going to be a lot of work for him to come back. If you sit out seven days, it's more like going through pre-season again," adds the coach.
Malesela, though, does not feel his new signing's absence will deal their promotion push a dent, saying Bakgaga are not a one-man team.
"I wouldn't say it's a blow though because we are currently working on a solution with the other strikers and you cannot rely on one person in this league. So, we are trying to encourage the other players to get on with the job.
READ: Downs test Chiefs pockets, as Barker concedes to losing Adams?
"We still have hope of winning straight promotion to the DStv Premiership, you know. There is still nine games to be played.
"The plan is to score goals. We must just convert our chances. That's the only plan."
You must be SIGNED IN to read and post comments.
Click HERE to register!
