By Grace Chingoma
SAUL Chaminuka has been relieved of his duties at ZPC Kariba following a string of poor results. He left the club, which he almost turned into champions last season, together with his assistant coach Godfrey Tamirepi.
ZPC Kariba juniors’ coach Oliver Matava is the acting coach and will be assisted by Paul “Popopo” Chimalizeni, the team manager.
The odds favour either Jostein Mathuthu or Moses Chunga taking over as the head coach.
Chaminuka leaves the club after a one-year stint as he was appointed coach before the start of last season when the team was promoted into the top-flight league.
It appears the 1-2 defeat at the hands of Harare City on Wednesday was the final straw and the Young Warriors assistant coach was shown the exit door yesterday.
He had just finished conducting a training session in Harare, where the team meet pacesetters Chicken Inn on Saturday.
During the club’s league match against Harare City at Rufaro, speculation about Chaminuka’s future was heightened when some of the club’s leaders were spotted sitting with former ZPC coach Mathuthu in the VVIP section.
The Kariba side, who finished second in the league race last year behind Dynamos, have only picked 10 points from eight matches. They have managed two wins against Highlanders (2-0) and Buffaloes (5-2) and lost as many games against Chapungu (2-1) and Harare City (2-1).
They have managed four draws against Hwange, CAPS United, Flame Lily and Dongo Sawmill. However, ZPC Kariba spokesperson Fadzai Chisveto chose to be diplomatic and said the two coaches had been suspended.
“The coach hasn’t been fired but has been suspended, together with assistant coach Godfrey Tamirepi, for the next four games and they won’t be performing their coaching duties.
“There are some internal issues the executive need to sort out with the coach and that can only be done with the coaches away from the team,” she said.
ZPC Kariba chairman Munyaradzi Nduna could not be reached for comment yesterday as he was said to be in meetings.
Chaminuka yesterday said he hadn’t received any communication regarding his fate but Tamirepi confirmed that they had been asked to step aside.
“I can confirm I was phoned by the club’s secretary that we have been suspended for four games.
“We had just finished training when they called so we are leaving camp now and I am going to my home in Kwekwe while the coach is going to Chivhu.
“We welcome the decision by the club, they have every right to do so,” he said. The Herald
