Botswana national team coach Mogomotsi Mpote has backed new Kaizer Chiefs player Thatayaone Ditlhokwe to excel in Naturena.
Botswana national team skipper Ditlhokwe, 24, has been roped in by Chiefs after his three-year stay with SuperSport United, having signed a precontract with the Soweto giants at the beginning of the year.
The defender joins Chiefs, the most supported team in Southern Africa, at a time when the side is under enormous pressure, the Soweto giants having gone an unprecedented eight seasons without silverware.
Mpote doesn’t foresee that being a problem for Ditlhokwe, saying the player is familiar with pressure cooker situations. On the contrary, the Zebras coach believes his captain will flourish.
“He came from a big team [in Botswana], Township Rollers,” Mpote said.
“So how can you fail to play for a crowd-puller when you are from a crowd-puller in your own country? I don’t think there will be any problems.
“I’m happy he is playing at Kaizer Chiefs. I think it will improve his game because Kaizer Chiefs is always under pressure and it’s nice to have a player who is always under pressure to deliver.”
During his first stint as the Botswana coach, Mpote appointed the new Chiefs player as national team captain over senior player Joel Mogorosi of Bloemfontein Celtic fame.
“I chose him to be the national team captain in 2019 when he was 20 or 21. Him and the boy who is playing in Algeria [Gape Mohutsiwa],” Mpote said.
“The only senior player then was Joel Mogorosi. You will see it there at Kaizer Chiefs that this boy is a leader.
“He is one player who is able to control and lead these young boys. He always encourages them.”
“Signing for a giant like Chiefs, is not only a big step for Ditlhokwe but his country as well.