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Another local soccer coach bites the dust

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OUT: Serame Letsoaka. (Chris Ricco, BackpagePix)
OUT: Serame Letsoaka. (Chris Ricco, BackpagePix)

Johannesburg - Serame Letsoaka is the latest coach to join the growing list of unemployed mentors in the country.

City Press has reliably learnt that Free State Stars will not renew his contract, which comes to an end next week.

Letsoaka had signed a short-term deal at the beginning of January after taking over from Italian gaffer Giovanni Solinas, but with an option to extend.

Letsoaka will join Cavin Johnson, whose contract with Platinum Stars will not be renewed at the end of this month.

Avoid relegation

Stars are still involved in the CAF Confederation Cup, but Johnson has already been replaced by Englishman Peter Butler.

Letsoaka will follow suit, despite helping Stars avoid relegation after joining them late in the campaign.

Black Leopards’ Belgian coach Jean Luscuito has already been linked to the job after his impressive run at the national first division club.

After dicing with relegation for the better part of the season, Stars narrowly avoided going down on goal difference in the last game of the season.

Letsoaka had led them to only four victories in 17 matches.

He was their third coach this season after Frenchman Denis Lavagne and Solinas.

The Free State side has already embarked on a massive clear-out, with almost eight players confirmed to be leaving.

Contractual issues

Bokang Tlhone and Moeketsi Sekola had signed pre-contracts with Bidvest Wits and Highlands Park, respectively, while Davies Nkausu, Thabang Matuka, Angelo Kerspuy, Nyiko Tshabangu, Mbuyiselo Thethani and Nhlakanipho Ntuli are also on their way out.

Letsoaka did not answer his phone nor return messages on Friday night or Saturday.

Stars’ general manager, Rantsi Mokoena, said he could not comment on contractual issues, saying things would be clear in a week’s time.

Recently, a furious Stars boss Mike Mokoena vehemently denied allegations that the club was for sale, saying they were being peddled by a “third force” that wanted to destabilise them.

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