Former Orlando Pirates goalkeeper, Deshi Bhaktawer, has accepted the role of goalkeeper coach at Atletico Madrid’s Indian Super League side, Atletico de Kolkata.

Bhaktawer, who spent many years as a player before becoming a coach and a TV analyst, will soon be jetting out to India t prepare things in Kolkata before leaving for Spain where his new side will be undergoing their preseason. He will then fly back to India when the league begins in September.

Former Wits and Sundowns head coach, Antonio Lopez Habas, and his assistant, Miguel Martinez, have been appointed as the men to take the reigns at the club, and it was he personally who asked Bhaktawer to get involved.

Paul Mitchell, the managing director of Siyavuma Sports Group, has voiced his excitement at the news, telling the Siya crew, “It’s great news that Antonio has asked Deshi to be his assistant coach in Kolkata following his good work at SuperSport with Gavin Hunt. It’s brilliant for South Africa that there will be a South African working under the umbrella of Atletico Madrid.”

Mitchell also confirmed that Ofentse Nato and Fikru Lemessa would also be making the trip alongside Bhaktawer and will be turning out for Kolkata during their campaign.

Champions League winning attacker, Luis Garcia, formerly of Liverpool, is the marquee signing for Kolkata ahead of the eight-week league that works in a similar fashion to the Indian Premier League in cricket.

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