Tebogo Moloi mystery deepens with the Orlando Pirates legend still out in the cold

14 September 2016 - 15:25 By Marc Strydom

Mystery continues to shroud the future at Orlando Pirates of assistant coach Teboho Moloi‚ who according to the club is still officially on a spell of extended leave that has now surpassed six months.Speculation that Moloi no longer features in Pirates’ plans as a member of their technical staff will have been fueled by the Bucs assistant appearing on SuperSport TV on Tuesday as an analyst for the pay-sports channel’s three Premier Soccer League games televised that night.These included Pirates’ 2-1 win against Ajax Cape Town at Cape Town Stadium.Pirates’ official stance has been that Moloi remains on leave.However it increasingly appears Bucs' former 1980s and 1990s midfield star has been left out in the cold by the club.Crunch meeting with Orlando Pirates chairman will decide Teboho Moloi's futureOrlando Pirates assistant coach Teboho Moloi is still officially on the three months leave he was granted by the club and is due to have a meeting with chairman Irvin Khoza on his return in the next two weeks. Times Media understands that Moloi’s personal concerns that he took leave for were resolved three months ago.Moloi has been unable to schedule a meeting to discuss his future with Bucs chairman Irvin Khoza for that period‚ though.Khoza appeared on Robert Marawa’s 083 Sports@6 Chairman’s Chair show on August 25 and said Moloi’s personal issue had been resolved‚ and to “watch this space”‚ on the assistant coach’s future.Pirates’ administrative officer Floyd Mbele said that‚ to his knowledge‚ a meeting had taken place on Monday‚ but that he could only confirm the club’s position surrounding Moloi this Friday.“I’m having a meeting with the chairman [Khoza] late on Thursday afternoon‚ and I can clarify after that what the latest is‚” Mbele said.“Because I believe they [Moloi and the chairman] met on Monday‚ but I can only confirm that after my meeting with the chairman.”Pirates coach Ertugral looking to draw inspiration from Man City counterpart GuardiolaOrlando Pirates coach Muhsin Ertugral says he is taking inspiration from Pep Guardiola as he seeks to organise his new team around his tactical plans. Moloi made critical comments on television about some of new coach Ertugral’s decisions‚ including the juggling of Happy Jele between right-back and centreback. Moloi said that Ertugral should choose one position for the player and stick with it.Mbele admitted that for anyone currently employed on Bucs’ bench to analyse Pirates’ games on TV could represent a conflict of interest.“It could be. It’s the same with Bradley [Carnell]. We have to sit down and decide if he can continue too.”Carnell was appointed as an assistant to Ertugral in mid-July‚ though has continued working as an analyst for SuperSport.Moloi was reached by Times Media Digital but did not want to comment.His leave was made public by Khoza at the same press conference where defender Siyabonga Sangweni’s retirement was announced on April 7. Times Media Digital reported in early July that Moloi was set to meet with Khoza within two weeks‚ according to Mbele.Mbele said then: "I think he [Moloi] would need to meet the chairman in the next week or two to decide his role going forward. There is a meeting scheduled.”Ertugral was appointed by Pirates in June to replace Eric Tinkler‚ who did not have his contract renewed at the end of the past season.Moloi has been a long-serving assistant coach at Bucs to numerous head coaches. - TMG Digital..

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