Nico's unflattering legacy continues

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

 

More often than not, the result is an acrimonious dismissal. It has become the norm that when a team is winning, credit goes to the players and when it struggles, the coach is crucified. Most coaches have found this a bitter pill to swallow, especially when they are shown the door. That is what happened when Nico United fired Willard Mashinkila-Khumalo on Tuesday. The coach was seething following his dismissal but he should have probably known that he was in a minefield when he joined a club with a rich history of dismissing coaches.

Recent statistics are likely to leave Nico at the summit of the clubs with a high turn-over of coaches. Some of the coaches who have been victims of the revolving door in the last seven seasons are Luke Masomere, Paul Gundani, Paul Moyo, Jim Mwale, Peter Muchina, Peter Sakonda, Madinda Ndlovu, Guston Mutobo and Johannes Tshuma and now Mashinkila-Khumalo. This means 11 coaches in seven seasons, which does not augur well for continuity. The only coach who lasted more than one season at Nico in the last seven years is Ndlovu.

It is not surprising therefore that the club managed its best run under Ndlovu, who led the modest side to a fourth place finish in 2008.

Nico's chopping and changing of coaches is probably reflected in their poor run since gaining promotion in 2004.

he club has constantly fought relegation and barely challenged for top honours.

A committee led by the likes of Leornard Marumo, Mack William, Eitlhomilwe Raditshego nearly changed the chaotic 'pick and drop' when Ndlovu was hired on a three-year contract. But once the committee disintegrated, the club reverted to its old ways.

Successive coaches who have left the club have often complained about unfair dismissal. Gundani, a reclusive character, dragged the club to the labour department citing unfair dismissal. His assistant, Muchina, was equally livid when he was shown the door and sought recourse at the labour office.

The club has not hesitated in wielding the axe, including the dramatic dismissal of a recalled Mutobo who only lasted three games after taking over from Ndlovu. However, that was a long stay compared to Tshuma's short-lived appointment, which ended before his papers were out. Though the revolving door at the Nico coaching department is swinging overtime, it is the extreme symptom of what is happening in other clubs.  

A fortnight ago, there was drama in the Naughty Boys' bench when team manager, Desmond Molefhe openly challenged coach Timmy Setswe when he tried to make a change in the second half. Molefhe's argument was that Setswe did not have the authority to make a change without consulting others on the bench! This is unheard of when there is only one head coach and an infuriated Setswe was right to walk away in protest. To make matters worse, an unrepentant Molefhe later said the coach has to consult before making changes. Setswe felt humiliated and undermined, and within days he quit. But not before bitterly complaining about the manner in which his departure was handled.

At Notwane, Luke Masomere sounded dejected when he spoke about his situation at the club before he left. He quit citing the club's failure to pay his dues but left no doubt that there are issues he would rather not talk about in public.

Machine Nthaga bolted out of the Black Peril stable when it became apparent that his authority was being undermined after the club brought in veteran tactician, Ezekiel Mpofu.

The biggest casualty this week is Daniel 'Chicco' Nare who was axed at Extension Gunners because of his supposed sour relations with some members of the management. Nare has been at Gunners for four seasons in which he led the club out of the relegation zone and led them to a fourth-place finish in the last campaign.

To safe guard their interests, coaches have hinted at forming an association.

Boteti Young Fighters and national team assistant coach, Kenneth Mogae, was among those tasked with spear-heading the project.

But coaches seeking solace in the association might not find much joy as the primary objective will be to ensure that they have the requisite qualifications. 'Our primary aim will be to monitor if we are getting the right calibre of coaches. We will also have to see how we equip them with skills,' Mogae said.

He said the coaches' association has not taken off because of the change of technical director at the Botswana Football Association.

With Sonnyboy Sethibe replacing Losikalame Keatlholetswe, Mogae is confident that the coaches' body will be up and running soon.

'We were waiting for the appointment of a new technical director as the association will be run under his office,' Mogae said.

He said coaches were receiving unfair deals from clubs because they are used as a scapegoat when things go wrong.

'Coaches that we have who are locals are at a disadvantage. You cannot make coaching a career because it is usually short-lived and not secure,' Mogae said.

'In a way, the systems are not conducive (for coaches' longer stay) but in some instances, it is a case of management not understanding technical aspects. Sometimes a coach wants to build for the future or he does not have the material and then he is sacrificed,' he explained.