Low turnover of coaches as clubs stabilise

MQONDISI DUBE
Staff Writer | Friday February 12, 2010 00:00

 

Only six clubs have made radical changes in their technical departments with Notwane leading the pack as the team that has been handled by at least three mentors.

Log leaders Township Rollers have kept faith in Zimbabwean coach Rahman Gumbo who is in his second season.He has repaid the club’s decision with a good run in the 2009/2010 campaign. Former champions Mochudi Centre Chiefs parted ways with Beston Chambeshi at the end of last season and roped in his compatriot and Zambian giant Wesley Mondo. Although he started off sluggishly, Mondo has won over the Chiefs’ fans, putting the side firmly in the race for the title.

Extension Gunners have shown characteristic stability by keeping Daniel ‘Chicco’ Nare for three seasons.

Nare has been doing well after finishing the past two seasons in seventh place, a massive improvement from the team’s perennial relegation fights. Gunners are third behind Rollers and Chiefs, further confirming their recent rise.

Uniao Flamengo Santos, placed fourth, have veteran Zimbabwean coach Clever Hunda. The old warhorse landed the young side its first silverware when he won the Coca-Cola Cup at the end of last season.

A change of guard does not look likely as Hunda leads the Gabane side into the CAF Confederations Cup, starting with a tough away assignment to Costa Do Sol of Mozambique this weekend.

Francistown side, ECCO City Greens have lost the ruthlessness they possessed last season. At one stage, the 2007 champions went for 10 games unbeaten but seem to have lost steam this season. Coach Max Moyo was largely credited with the team’s turnaround in fortunes last season. After a slow start, the team is picking up the pieces and hitting form at the right moment.

BDF XI, a distant sixth, are coached by Zambian, Stan Mwaanga who arrived two seasons ago. He is a respected coach but results have eluded him since he joined the army side. The talent is there at BDF XI and the team should be fighting for top honours.

Reigning champions Gaborone United (GU) started the season with award-winning coach, Mike Sithole before he left in unclear circumstances. Fellow Zambian, Manfred Chibanga has replaced him.

GU are the only side currently in the top eight that have changed personnel. Nico United, sitting in eighth position, have kept Zimbabwean Paul Gundani. The Selebi-Phikwe side had a storming start to the campaign but has fizzled badly amid reports of poor administration.

Changes are imminent after reports that Gundani and his assistant, Peter Muchina, were suspended recently.

Former TAFIC coach, Willard Khumalo will take over the reigns from Gundani.

Notwane’s revolving door has turned more than that of other Premier League teams. The former glamour club that scaled dizzy heights in the mid- 1990s, has hired at least three coaches. The team was handled by caretaker coaches before the arrival of Ghanaian, Ernest Kofi, who was recently replaced by Luke Masomere.

Newcomers Motlakase arrived in the Premier League with Bennedict Bayani who has since given way to Zimbabwe’s Madinda Ndlovu.

Veteran award winning coach Barry Daka is handling Police XI, who are hovering just above the relegation zone in 11th place. Daka is into his third season since leaving ECCO.

James Takavada was fired at rookies, Jwaneng Comets and replaced by Mpona Motsamai.

Boteti Young Fighters have kept their long-serving coach, Kenneth Mogae, while Killer Giants have a second coach in Godfrey Tamirepi.

BMC started with Boyo ‘Oris’ Radipotsane before hiring former GU coach, Sithole.

Jerry Shingi is the new man in charge at basement side, TAFIC after Willard Khumalo led the Francistown side for two seasons.