Nico tells coach to stay home

MQONDISI DUBE
Correspondent | Friday January 30, 2009 00:00

 

Mutobo took over from Ndlovu who resigned from the club in December to join his boyhood team, Highlanders in Zimbabwe.

The DRC coach, who was born in Zambia failed to turn around the fortunes of the team in his second stint at the club. When he took over, Nico had lost three games on the trot but that number has risen to six. After the 4-1 defeat to Mogoditshane Fighters at the weekend, Mutobo bemoaned the lack of quality in the team. But he said the team should fight to get out of its precarious position with the players it has. However, the coach was told to stop attending training this week as the executive committee allegedly felt that he was failing to arrest the slide.

Some fans reportedly opposed the re-hiring of Mutobo. The coach had a stint with Nico in 2005 and enjoyed instant success, guiding the club to a then record fifth place finish.

In his recent brief stint, Mutobo sat on the bench during the 3-1 loss to Premier League debutantes GNT in a game that Nico should have won but missed a dozen gilt edged scoring chances. Against Fighters, Nico opened the scoring but went on to lose 4-1 and the tactical deficiency on the bench was exposed.

The executive committee is said to have been riled by Mutobo's decision to leave out regular defender, Gosetsemang 'Laedza' Baruti as the team was badly exposed at the back. Midway through the second half, when Majombolo were trailing 3-1, Mutobo pulled out a defender, Poloko Khole for another defender, Ronnie Mpatane.

Nico spokesman, Matlhale Malepa said that Mutobo has been asked to stay at home 'for his safety'.

'When fans were complaining after our game against Fighters, the coach was the target and the chairman tried to shield him and was abused. We decided to let Mutobo stay at home to protect him from fans who felt that he was not doing well. Hopefully, we will have him back,' Malepa said. He added that the executive committee will consult fans before they take a decision on Mutobo. Malepa did not rule out the possibility of Ndlovu returning to the club. 'We are in talks with a number of coaches and Madinda, since he was with us before, will be given priority. If we can afford him, then he might return. We are trying all we can to help the team out of its present situation,' Malepa said.

Ndlovu was seen in Selebi-Phikwe over the weekend but it was not immediately clear why he was in town. He has already started work with Highlanders and it is unclear if he would accept a return to a club that he took to dizzy heights last season. Ndlovu is said to have been offered a good salary at Highlanders although a source said the figures were still to be finalised with the sponsor. Nico reportedly still owe their former coach but are prepared to offer him an improved contract.

'The executive committee still believe Ndlovu is the right man to guide the team. He did a lot of good work last season and his absence is being felt,' a source at the club said.

Ndlovu was seen in the company of club chairperson, Kitso 'Jomo' Nkoborwane and former Nico spokesperson, Etlhomilwe Raditshego during the Makaba Challenge Cup at the weekend.

In the interim, Peter Muchina who enjoys a healthy relationship with the club's fans will guide the team. Muchina was Ndlovu's assistant and most people felt the logical step was to appoint him caretaker coach instead of bringing a new man at this stage of the season. His first game in charge would be against BMC in Lobatse this weekend.