Confusion at Bosso over Mafu’s job

By Grace Chingoma

BULAWAYO – Confusion continued to stalk the status of under-fire Highlanders coach Bongani Mafu last night amid reports that he will be handed his dismissal letter today after a joint meeting between the club’s board and executive.

Bosso chief executive Ndumiso Gumede had earlier told The Herald that Mafu had been given one last chance, to win the game against Chicken Inn at Barbourfields on Sunday.

But it emerged, from various sources, that the club’s executive took a decision to fire Mafu on Monday and what is now left is just for them to formalise the process.

It’s now certain that Mafu will not be sitting on the Bosso bench on Sunday when the Bulawayo giants host Chicken Inn.

A number of Highlanders executive members confirmed to our Bulawayo Bureau yesterday that Mafu’s fate was sealed on Monday and all that is left is for him to be handed his pink slip.

This is in sharp contrast to the position taken by Gumede who said Mafu was still in charge of the Bulawayo giants.

“We are not aware that he has been relieved of his duties,” said Gumede.

“If Mafu is going to be fired, I write that letter and I have not been directed to do that.

“We are also worried about the poor performance of the team and this has been expressed to the technical team that should we lose the Chicken Inn match then they would have missed the first half objectives and there would be no point for them to carry on.

“I am saying that if they lose the next game and win all the remaining nine matches they will not meet the target and it would be pointless.

“In the first ten games they were supposed to attain the 60 percent win rate but they were far below that and the executive felt that they should leave the technical team to soldier on.

“We must finish in the top four and they were told not to slip up again.”

But others within the club leadership, said Mafu was gone and everything will be spelt out when the club’s board and executive meet today.

Highlanders are in eighth place with 25 points, having won six matches, lost seven and drawn as many games.

Mafu yesterday conducted a session with his team.

Fixtures

Saturday: ZPC Kariba v Whawha (Nyamunga).

Sunday: Triangle v FC Platinum (Gibbo), Hwange v Harare City (Colliery), Highlanders v Chicken Inn (Barbourfields), Buffaloes v Flame Lily (Sakubva ), Chapungu v CAPS United (Ascot), Dongo Sawmill v Tsholotsho (Vengere), Dynamos v How Mine (Rufaro). The Herald