Mninawa Ntloko
4 November 2008
Johannesburg — PLATINUM Stars coach Miguel Gamondi can sleep a lot easier after the club's owners, Royal Bafokeng Holdings, said yesterday that its decision to acquire 100% of the domestic premiership side would not affect the technical staff.
Royal Bafokeng Holdings CEO Niall Carroll said yesterday there would be no dramatic changes when the investment arm of the Bafokeng nation - which owns 51% of the club - acquires the remaining 49% of the shares from co-owners Larry Brookstone and Joe Mapfulagasha this week
"We are actually very pleased with them (the technical staff)," Carroll said.
"We have complete confidence in Miguel and we believe he fits our vision for the team perfectly.
"This (the 100% ownership) is a logical step for Royal Bafokeng Holdings to demonstrate its commitment to Platinum Stars in a sport that requires deep pockets to build sustainable success.
"Larry (Brookstone) and Joe (Mapfulagasha) have built a robust platform and we are backing the players and technical team to ensure that they can fulfil their potential."
Royal Bafokeng Holdings bought its initial 51% stake in the club last May for a reported R30m and the remaining 49% is believed to cost about R40m. Carroll said plans were under way to build a state-of-the-art facility that will house Stars in North West to complete their vision for the team.
"We need to be consistently a top five franchise and that is the greater goal for us."
Brookstone will relinquish his position as MD but will remain with Stars until the end of the year to allow for a smooth transition to his successor.
Brookstone said selling the side was not an easy decision.
"The club has been our passion for many years, so selling our remaining shares has not been an easy decision for Joe and me," he said.
"However, we are convinced that for Platinum Stars to become a top five club on a sustainable basis it needs a single financially strong shareholder. Royal Bafokeng Holdings has a long-term commitment to football and we have no doubt that Stars has a bright future."
In the meantime, Gamondi can plan for tomorrow night's visit by Santos at Mmabatho Stadium without too many off-the-field worries.
Stars are ninth on the table, and according to Carroll, they expect the side to improve in the coming weeks.
Carroll said the club's roller-coaster run of two victories, two defeats and a draw may have been caused by the uncertainty created by long-time coach Owen da Gama's departure to Orlando Pirates in September last year.
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