Free State Stars boss Rantsi Mokoena has confirmed to the Siya crew this morning that the club has begun its restructuring by parting ways with almost everyone – as high up as coach Nikola Kavazovic all the way down to the groundsman.
Ea Lla Koto were relegated from top-flight football to the National First Division last weekend, which immediately meant their budget was reduced from multimillions to a mere R433 000 monthly grant they will now receive in the second tier.
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"We woke up on Monday morning and realised we have lost two thirds of our income and had to stop feeling sorry for ourselves. So we are restructuring to plan for life in the NFD," Mokoena confirmed.
He said they thanked Serbian coach Kavazovic, who took up the vacant post in January, and his technical team for their efforts in trying to rescue the club. But Stars had to turn over a new page.
The Siya crew understands only about five players have remained and the club and Stars will now rely on its scouting network to beef up the team. Nyiko Mobbie, Harris Tchilimbou, Makhehlene Makhaula, Sibusiso Hlubi and Martin Kizza are understood to have survived the guillotine, though they are likely to move on as they are held in high regard and have in the past attracted interest from Premier League rivals who are probably still keen.
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"I am in negotiations with several clubs over the services of some of our players and we will make announcements in due course. It's a situation we have found ourselves in and have to adjust to our current circumstances. We had to do this as soon as possible because we literally have about a month before pre-season and starting afresh in a new league," Mokoena explained.
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