One on One: Rashid Mtelera

Civo United would like to beef up their squad with at least an experienced striker after going five games without scoring a goal in the 2015 TNM Super League. They have so far lost four matches and drew once. The outfit finished fourth on the 15-team log table last season. I talk to the team’s general secretary RASHID NTELERA (RN) on this and other issues.

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SM: Your team seems to be struggling in the league, what is the problem?
RN: It was a bad start; we have been dominating in terms of ball possession in the five games we have played so far, but the goal scoring aspect has been a serious problem. Therefore, we are planning to hire an experienced Super League striker when the transfer window opens at the end of the first round.

SM: But with your current six strikers, you managed to score four goals in last season’s first five games, winning once, drawing once and losing thrice. What do the players say is their problem?
RN: They say they are just going through some hard times but they have assured us they will improve in the next games, including our home game against Epac FC on Saturday (today). However, we cannot go on like this in a topflight league; changes still need to be made to have a sharp striking force.

SM: But are the team’s struggles on the field not the problem of the technical panel?
RN: Of course, the technical panel is the first point of call in such situations but in this case, the strikers should take responsibility. They were employed to score goals. In spite of that, we have also cautioned our technical staff to improve. They did well last season but they seem to be going through hard times as well.