FREE State Stars have started the rebuilding process by releasing nine players after escaping relegation by a whisker.
Ea Lla Koto finished the season 14th after a 3-0 win over Moroka Swallows in their last match.
Stars general manager Rantsi Mokoena said management will meet next week to finalise the future of the coaching staff.
The off-loaded players include Togolese striker Abraw Camaldine and Ghanaian goalkeeper Daniel Agyei. "Anybody who want them will have to approach me. As for the others, we have decided to release them. Most of their contracts have expired," said Mokoena.
The seven players are midfielder Mthokozisi Yende, goalkeeper Tshepo Motsoeneng, midfielders Mongezi Bobe and Anver Esterhuizen, and defenders Soriola Gege, Mbhuyiselo Sambu and Sadata Oyro-Akoroko. "We want to build a new team that will not battle relegation but challenge for trophies," said Mokoena.
"It was a very long and tiring season for us. We are all relieved that it's over and our Premiership status is guaranteed."
Asked what went wrong for them this season, considering in the past Stars used to finish in the upper echelons, Mokoena said: "It all went wrong starting with our pre-season preparations.
"By the time we [management] intervened it was a bit too late, but we are happy the team survived. Emotionally, it affected us in the last few games of the season but we were always confident that we wouldn't even go to the promotional play-offs."
On the coaching staff, he said: "We will do a review of their performance next week, naturally, there is a concern that the team was almost relegated."
Stars are guided by former Malawi national team coach Kinnah Phiri, who is assisted by Themba Sithole and Mark Harrison.
Stars off-load nine players
FREE State Stars have started the rebuilding process by releasing nine players after escaping relegation by a whisker.
Ea Lla Koto finished the season 14th after a 3-0 win over Moroka Swallows in their last match.
Stars general manager Rantsi Mokoena said management will meet next week to finalise the future of the coaching staff.
The off-loaded players include Togolese striker Abraw Camaldine and Ghanaian goalkeeper Daniel Agyei. "Anybody who want them will have to approach me. As for the others, we have decided to release them. Most of their contracts have expired," said Mokoena.
The seven players are midfielder Mthokozisi Yende, goalkeeper Tshepo Motsoeneng, midfielders Mongezi Bobe and Anver Esterhuizen, and defenders Soriola Gege, Mbhuyiselo Sambu and Sadata Oyro-Akoroko. "We want to build a new team that will not battle relegation but challenge for trophies," said Mokoena.
"It was a very long and tiring season for us. We are all relieved that it's over and our Premiership status is guaranteed."
Asked what went wrong for them this season, considering in the past Stars used to finish in the upper echelons, Mokoena said: "It all went wrong starting with our pre-season preparations.
"By the time we [management] intervened it was a bit too late, but we are happy the team survived. Emotionally, it affected us in the last few games of the season but we were always confident that we wouldn't even go to the promotional play-offs."
On the coaching staff, he said: "We will do a review of their performance next week, naturally, there is a concern that the team was almost relegated."
Stars are guided by former Malawi national team coach Kinnah Phiri, who is assisted by Themba Sithole and Mark Harrison.
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