ECCO fire Kowa
Chakalisa Dube | Thursday October 23, 2014 16:15
This raised speculation that coach might have been shown the door after a poor start, which saw ECCO collect a single point in seven matches.
However, yesterday ECCO vice chairman Mothibedi Latlhang dismissed speculation that Kowa had been fired. “Kowa has returned to Gaborone due to work issues otherwise he could have still been at the club because we had faith that he will help the team improve.
“I understand that he was transferred to manage some operations of his company in Francistown but has since been recalled to Gaborone by his employers again,” Latlhang said in an interview yesterday.
Latlhang said that former ECCO coach, Atshele Molapi’s younger brother Screamer Molapi has taken over on an interim basis.
“He holds a CAF C coaching licence,” said Latlhang.
Screamer was on the bench when ECCO drew against Chiefs. He has been Kowa’s assistant.
But Kowa presented a different story when contacted for comment. “One of the club senior officials called me last week Wednesday morning while I was in Gaborone to check my ill mother in law, telling me to come and collect a letter.
“When I said that I will collect the letter at training the same evening he said that I must not attend training. I enquired further about the letter that is when I learnt that the club was releasing me.”
Kowa said that he chose to remain in Gaborone upon learning that he will be dismissed and is yet to collect the club’s letter. He did not have a formal contract with ECCO.
“I am not the first coach to be released and I am not the last. I do not feel bad at all there is nothing wrong. It is part of football. I wish them the best.”
Kowa said he is likely to return to Gaborone on a permanent basis after a short working stint in Francistown.
Kowa replaced Atshele towards the end of the season after the club performed poorly but the new coach failed to remedy the situation.