Gaborone — Daniel 'Chicco' Nare is one of the most underrated coaches in Botswana football. But last weekend, he proved sceptics wrong after he guided Extension Gunners to an impressive display against Mochudi Centre Chiefs in the Coca-Cola Cup though his side lost

Mmegi: Can you briefly tell us about yourself?

Nare: I was born on Christmas day in 1972 in Peleng township in Lobatse. I was born in a family of five and am the last born. We are now three as I have since lost a brother and a sister. I did my primary education at St Theresa School in Lobatse from 1979 to 1985 and moved to Ipeleng Junior Secondary School. From 1988-1990, I did my Cambridge at Lobatse Secondary School (Lobsec) and proceeded for my national service in Seolwane village from 1991-1992. From there, I joined BMC as a trainee specialising in refrigeration mechanic. Later BMC sent me to Vocational Training Centre (VTC) in Gaborone where I got my National Craft Certificate (NCC) in 1998. Right now, I still remain an employee of BMC and I am thankful to them for having been there for me. I am enjoying my job and they are very supportive even when I have to be away from work due to football commitments. I am married to Dimpho (nee Ketshogile) from Kanye and we are blessed with two boys Fezile (5) and Sakhile (8 months). My wife is a lovely woman and she has been very supportive and am lucky to have met her.

Mmegi: There is something interesting about your dress code. Why this pantsula-kind of dressing?

Nare: I grew up in Peleng under this brother of mine called Ace Nyambe. He had his group and when I grew up, I used to visit the members and I liked their style of dressing. They used to wear Converse, All-Star, Levis, Pringle and Brentwood, and that is where I fell in love with this kind of dress code. Since then, I have always felt comfortable putting on this kind of dress code. When you see my dress code, it reflects who I am. It shows where I come from (townships) and I am proud of my roots. As for the stapora (caps), my father used to wear those caps and at times, I would steal them from him. And one day, I asked him where he bought them from and he told me that there is a shop called Pakistan in Lobatse. Simply, I inherited this kind of caps from him and they make me feel good. Even today, if I need something from my trousers to caps, I go to Pakistan.

Mmegi: Who were your close friends when you grew up?

Nare: I used to hang around with a lot of guys. The likes of Solomon Poloko who is now a commando at BDF (Botswana Defence Force), Mandi Nyambe and Geoffrey Bakwena are some of the guys I was close to.

Mmegi: As a youngster, did your parents support your idea to play football?

Nare: Not at all. My mother used to struggle to buy me school uniform and there was no way she could buy me football gear and boots. I relied more on my brother (Papiki) who was a star then at Gunners. At primary school, I played football but changed to volleyball at Ipeleng because I was lazy. I changed back to football when I got to Lobsec.

Mmegi: Which clubs did you play for in your football career?

Nare: I cut my teeth at Peleng Kicks in 1986. After finishing my national service in 1992, I joined BMC because the then coach Clever Hunda had long shown interest in me when I was a student at Lobsec but I delayed the move. I stayed with BMC for three years before moving to Gunners after I was accused of indiscipline along with some players. In 1997, I decided to join Mochudi Centre Chiefs because I could not afford to train in Lobatse while studying in Gaborone. I retired from football in 1998 after suffering a knee injury while on national duty in Mozambique during the COSAFA Castle Cup.

Mmegi: When did you join the national team?

Nare: I was part of the Olympic squad in 1993 which was groomed as the future Zebras and in 1994 we were taken to West Africa to play some games under the tutelage of Ben Koufie. Between 1996 and 1998, I featured for the Zebras under Zambian Freddie Mwila and later Heinz Marotzke from Germany.

Mmegi: In 1996 it is said you were banned from the national team after playing games on manager Sello Katse. What happened?

Nare: I do not like to talk about that issue because we are now friends. I once met him and he told me that he has heard that I am a coach and he would like to see me talking to my players during halftime because I used to be indisciplined. What happened in 1996 is that we went to Namibia to play using a BDF plane. When we arrived around 3pm, there was no arrangement for lunch and we were hungry. When I asked Katse about food, he said that I am a cry-baby and I should not behave as if I am at BMC. I was hurt and when I was in my room with Mlungisi (Kopi), I asked myself what can I do to get back at Katse. I phoned his room and claimed to be Sergeant Katatura from Namibian Defence Force. I asked Katse why he came into 'my country without informing me since he is an army officer'. He panicked. I then told him that there was a bomb in his room and it will explode in a few minutes. Then I dropped the phone. When I was in my room, I could hear people running in fear as players were evacuated from their rooms. The state security was called to check the room and nothing was found. They could not even trace the number which called the room. When we were waiting outside the hotel, Mlungisi told them that it was me who called Katse and we were asked to go back to our rooms. Katse came over to demand why I am playing games on him and I remained quiet because he was a soldier and I respected him. When we returned home, Katse told me at the airport that I must never come back for camps. I was only re-called when Marotzke was at the helm in 1998. It was funny.

Mmegi: (laughs) Of all coaches who you played under, who was the best?

NARE: I would say Clever Hunda because he is the one who gave me my big break. Under his guidance, I became a better player and it was at BMC where I got my national team call-up and this was due to my hard work.

Mmegi: Of all the clubs which you played for, which was the best?

NARE: I owe a lot to BMC because I came into top-flight football as an unknown from Peleng Kicks. I had my best moments at BMC and they even got me a job and am still working because of BMC football club. I am married and have become a responsible man, all thanks to them.

Mmegi: Who was the best player you played with during your career on the pitch?

Nare: It has to be Jack Gotlop who I played with at BMC. There was no midfielder who could pass the ball better than him during my days. Jones Mfakose, Buti Kgodungwe and Edison Mulubwa were also fantastic players. At Chiefs, it has to be Teenage Podile because at the time, he was at the peak of his career.

Mmegi: Who are the best eleven players you played with or against during your career?

Nare: Thabo Motang, Caesar Dintwe, Sticks Ntebela, Hlabankane Masire, City Senne, Jack Gotlop, Mlungisi Kopi, Jones Mfakose, Pio Paul, Tummie Duiker, Edison Mulubwa.

Mmegi: Do you believe that muti influences football games?

Nare: (pauses) I do not believe in muti at all but I must admit that it is used by our clubs. When I was at Lobsec, there was a teacher who believed in it so much and when we went for BISA finals in 1990 against Gaborone Secondary School (GSS), there was this thing which was applied on our boots. On that day, we hammered GSS 9-0. At clubs like BMC, Gunners and Chiefs, we used different types of muti.

Mmegi: How did you plan for the Coca-Cola Cup game against Chiefs last weekend?

Nare: My preparations at Gunners change depending on which team we play. With due respect, most foreign coaches who come into this country believe in the 4-4-2 system. I knew Chiefs would come with that system. The plan was to neutralise them [Chiefs] and I decided to close their right flank where Talk-Talk (Tshepo Motlhabankwe) and Jabu (Othusitse Pilane) operate. That is the most deadly wing in their team and most of their goals come from there. I knew if we could close it, our job would be half done. The next step was to close Pontsho (Moloi) because I believe that on a good day, he is better than his brother (Dirang). He can score and create goals from nothing. That was it and we managed to match them throughout and forced them into penalties.

Mmegi: After Sunday Kelebale equalised, what was going in your mind?

Nare: I have always told my players that big games are not won by coaches. When Chiefs scored, I knew we would come back because I have faith in my players. We would have won the game especially though that effort from Motsiri (Ofentse Mmipi) which missed the target by a whisker. The other thing is that we should have not conceded in that game. But because of bad marking in the box, we conceded.

Mmegi: Some people feel that your players threw away the game, which they could have easily won especially during the post-match penalties...

Nare: Yes we had chances to win the game but things did not go well. The thing is that in games like that, you should have a big heart to succeed. Gweru (Kemmy Pilato) and Kgololo (Leteane) could not stand the pressure at that stage but I do not want to blame them because it would have a negative impact in their careers.

Mmegi: Captain Ofentse Mmipi has been a target of Naughty Boys during the transfer period and he stayed away from Gunners. He only returned a day before your game against Chiefs yet he was outstanding. Did you say anything special to him before kick-off?

Nare: I called him aside and asked him if he is ready to start the game. He said if I want him to start, he is ready and I told him that all eyes will be on him. I believed in him and the only thing I did was to take away the captainship from him. He played well and I was happy for him. Motsiri remains my captain as long as he is here because I want him to be responsible. He has fought with past coaches and I want him to be focused on his career. To be honest with you, if he leaves Gunners, his career will be doomed because he does not know the difference between an elder and an age-mate.

Mmegi: What did you say to your players after the Chiefs' game?

Nare: I went to them individually and told them not to lose hope because even the best players have missed penalties in the past. Remember Roberto Baggio, David Beckham and Cristiano Ronaldo? They still remain big names today.

Mmegi: After the Chiefs' game, some people say that the current Gunners' team has a bright future. What is your take on this?

Nare: The big advantage I have in this team is that the players are very good listeners. We will continue to build and our target is that by the end of the first round next season, we should be in a good position in the standings. We do not want to fight relegation anymore. I am still going to have a meeting with the players before the start of the season so that they can tell me what they want and I tell them what I want from them. I believe that we can achieve a lot.

Mmegi: What kind of relationship do you have with your players?

Nare: We have a special bond and I am like a brother to them. I give them advice on a number of issues based on my experiences. If they have personal problems, I am there for them because once they have a clean mind, they will deliver for me.

Mmegi: Did the departure of Otlaadisa 'TRX' Mohambi to Gaborone United (GU) have a negative impact on the team?

Nare: It did affect us a lot. Personally, I feel let down at the way he left because I thought we had a healthy relationship. He dodged me and I was taken aback when he made some comments in the media that he wanted to play under Mike Sithole because he is a good coach. That was hard on me. Then I told myself that life has to go on and I looked at what I have in the team. I asked Sunday (Monametsi Kelebale) to lead my attack. We signed a youngster from Taipei to replace TRX (Mohambi) but we do not expect a lot from him immediately.

Mmegi: Can Gunners compete for top honours this season?

Nare: We are not aiming for top honours this season because we have players who are still on a learning curve. Like I said, they have potential but they still have a lot to learn.

Mmegi: Towards the end of last season, Gunners' communications manager Cassim Dada said that the club is hunting for an experienced coach to relieve pressure from you. How did you feel looking at the fact that you have changed the fortunes of the team?

Nare: When I joined Gunners early this year, I was brought in as an assistant coach. This has always been the case and I do not feel bad about it. At the end of the season, the management reviewed my performance and it was decided that I be offered a two-year contract. I will be here for the next two years unless something unfortunate happens.

Mmegi: Some people say that you have proved your credentials as a coach yet you cannot get recognition from BFA. What is the problem?

Nare: You can pose that question to Six Keatlholetswe (BFA technical director) because he is the one who employs coaches. Maybe he feels that I am not a good coach but that will not bring me down. I will continue working hard.

Mmegi: You were once appointed coach of the national Under-17 squad, but you were sacked before you could start the job. What happened?

Nare: What makes it painful is that I was released by my employers but I was never told that I have been relieved of my duties as coach. I heard it from people and the BFA only told me after two months. I did not understand their reasons. Since then, I have developed an attitude towards BFA. I will never have respect for them as long as the current technical department is there. What pains me is that they sent me to Germany for a course last year yet they cannot utilise whatever knowledge I gained out there.

Mmegi: I understand that you are a close friend to South Africa's national assistant coach, Pitso 'Jingles' Mosimane. Do you ever share ideas?

Nare: We were room-mates in Germany last year and we have since developed a close relationship. We discuss a lot of things and meet wherever possible. I expect to meet him when he returns from England (South Africa played Australia in an international friendly game on Tuesday). I discussed the pre-season programme I used recently with him.

Mmegi: Where do you want to be in the next five years as far as your coaching career is concerned?

Nare: Coaches grow in their respective countries but the way I have been treated by our own association, I do not see me going anywhere. But for now, I want to stabilise things at Gunners and take them back to where they deserve. Fighting relegation has been a painful experience for Gunners' supporters. (David) Bright has had an influence in my career and I have a dream of joining him there (South African Premier League) one day.

Mmegi: Is there anything you regret in life, which you wish you could have avoided?

Nare: The only thing I regret is joining Township Rollers from Chiefs. When I joined them, I was told that there will be a coach from West Africa who I will assist since I knew the culture of local football. The coach never came and they brought that guy (Onyewadume) and our roles were never defined. If things were going well at the team, some Rollers' officials would praise him. When things were going bad, fingers were pointed at me.

At times, I asked myself why I left a team, which was second on the log and to go into such a mess. Because I have a big heart, I stayed put. I sighed with relief when I was relieved of my duties. The experience at Rollers taught me a lesson.

Mmegi: You always have confrontations with referees during games, why?

Nare: I fully understand that referees are human beings and they make mistakes. But they must understand that sometimes their dubious decisions can cost some of us our jobs.

Mmegi: Any message to Gunners' supporters?

Nare: They must continue rallying behind the team because it is the money they pay at the stadiums which pays the salaries of players at the end of the month.