By Confidence Musariri Nomadic former national team goalkeeper, Ronnie Kanalelo has finally found his way back home to settle at native base Black Africa as the team’s Technical Director. Kanalelo was welcomed back by club chairman Boni Kanalelo as the ailing Cup Kings hope to turn the fortunes and “revisit the BA Vision 2010 – and take serious decisions that complement those long-term objectives.” The giant goalie made his name at Black Africa after moving from Eleven Arrows and Blue Waters, respectively, before his skills were spotted by Victor Bondarenko at South African side Mamelodi Sundowns. Kanalelo will now work with head coach Bobby Samaria at the dethroned Cup Kings who have lost the knuckle of money-games over the months. The Khomasdal side had been eliminated in the Humphries Tournament and watched the FNB Cup from the stands, “a record that does not fit our character”, according to Paulino. The veteran shot-stopper was a darling on the road to the 1998 Burkina Faso Nations Cup where he was to concede the most number of goals at the tournament despite gallantry performances which always kept the score sheet respectable. “We are appealing to our loyal supporters to welcome Ronnie Kanalelo and we should all pledge our uncompromising support to him, to make BA the football force it used to be,” read a statement from club spokesman Cassius Moetie. Black Africa believe Ronnie has a reservoir of experience, having played in the Champions League for Sundowns where he won the CAF Save of the Year, for sabotaging Tunisian giants Esperance’s chances of winning the tournament. He however fell out of favour with most locals in a country versus club schism when he decided to get South African citizenship in order to play at Sundowns, a move which questioned his patriotism. Arguably to some, that cost him the Brave Warriors Technical Director’s job to Seth Boois, last year. Mamelodi Sundowns had allegedly demoted Ronnie to the bench following the acquisition of more foreign nationals and younger blood, as age was catching up on the gangly goalkeeper. He will now be on the touchline, as the Lively Lions host irritating Eleven Arrows and free scoring Blue Waters this weekend. As Black Africa try to avoid another fall into football wilderness, with a Ronnie magic, log leaders Civics go into this weekend with aplomb, having received a cool extra-motivational edge from the consortium, yesterday. Civics engage forceful Ramblers tonight with a N$250 000 cheque in the bank. The money was received at a ceremony launching the team’s African Champions ambitions at Soccer House yesterday. The Consortium group of companies told the gathering which was graced by artists Gazza, The Dogg and Gal Level all clad in Civics regalia, that a budget provision had been set for the next five years to finance any team that wins the league and wishes to participate in the Champions League. Ramblers are the only side to have beat Civics last season, and a win for them tonight might dent Civics’ great expectations. Ramblers, positioned in unfamiliar territory on the log will jump three places up to position four if they beat Civics. The consortium’s pledge in the Champions League will not only give clubs a platform to launch a passion for the African whirlwind but will also need a catastrophic turn of events for any defending champions to let the championship title slip away.
2006-02-062024-04-23By Staff Reporter