ECCO drawn into relegation battle
Koketso Kgoboge | Thursday April 20, 2017 15:36
Mamoja Diski have performed below par in the past five encounters scrapping only four points out of a possible 15, with their last win a 2-0 against Chobe United five weeks ago. They have since failed to register a win in the past four games.
Their poor run has seen them plummet deep down the log table and are now three points above the last relegation spot, which is currently occupied by Morupule Wanderers.
Mamoja also have a poor goal record as compared to other relegation candidates, Wanderers and GNT. A loss for Mamoja and a win for both GNT and Wanderers will see Mamoja follow Satmos and TASC to Division One.
It has not been so rosy inside the ECCO camp. Players clad in their playing uniform are seen roaming the streets begging for contributions from the community and sometimes they are in shops helping with packaging.
One player who chose anonymity said the problem is caused by internal squabbles within the club leadership and the supporters committee. He said the situation at the club is unbearable and has left players desperate.
“We are caught in the crossfire,” he said. “The management is fighting and the supporters are also pulling the other way. We came here to play football but now some of us are turned into beggars. I am leaving after the last game,” the player said. Club coach, Texan Phiri refused to be drawn into the matter, saying he would not comment on administrative issues, but he will try and motivate his troops for their last encounter against stubborn Real Movers.
He could not be drawn into discussing his future too. “I cannot comment on that now. Things are hard but at the moment we should try and focus on the last fixture and then everything will be decided after,” Phiri said.
Team secretary, Dimakatso Kebuang acknowledged they have financial challenges and said they are pulling all the strings to ensure players are taken care of. He dismissed reports of an impasse between the management and the supporters.
“Having our players assist in shops is one way of us trying to raise some funds to assist them, just as we can get one of the players a job. Otherwise we are fighting and we believe we will survive.”