- Ndlovu will leave at the end of the season
- Zambian coach to replace him in July
LETLHOGILE MPUANG
Orapa United head coach Madinda Ndlovu is expected to leave the club at the end of the 2016/17 league season. Gazette Sport has been reliably informed. The former Township Rollers and Mochudi Centre Chiefs coach joined the Ostriches at the start of the 2015/16 season. In his first season with the team, the Zimbabwean coach guided them to the their maiden piece of silverware in the Mascom Top 8.
This season, the club has also been in title chasing form; It was only this past weekend that they recorded their first loss of the season to title rivals Rollers in a league tie. The team is also in line to become the first team to successfully defend the Top 8, this is after they managed to make it to the semi finals of this year’s edition.
However, Gazette Sport understands that the mastermind behind all this success, Ndlovu, will be leaving the club at the season. Sources close to the side say the club is also aware of the coach’s intentions.
“Madinda will be leaving in July, he has made the club aware of his intentions to leave the club, and although the club did not want to lose him, it is a decision they have to accept and respect,” said a source close to the developments.
Another source also echoed the statements, “Yes, Mandinda has said it himself, he is leaving when the season ends, and he will be replaced by a Zambian coach who is currently in charge of Zesco United and has previously coached the Zambian National Team,” gave a source.
This publication understands that Ndlovu’s two year contract is to elapse at the end of the season. It is said that last year the club approached the coach in a bid to have him extend his contract, but were unsuccessful. Earlier this month the team’s Public Relations Officer Tebatso Hule refuted reports of the coach’s uncertain future at the club.
“There is no uncertainty about the coach’s future at the club, Mandinda is still with us. His contract is not expiring in six months. He will remain coach of Orapa United, and will see out the reminder of his contract with us,” said Hule at the Mascom Top 8 draw early this month. Ndlovu has been linked with a move back to his former employers Rollers who parted ways with coach Mark Harrison last year.
However, it looks unlikely he will join his former side with the club said to be closing in on a foreign coach from Europe for the start of next season. Ndlovu is likely to take up a role elsewhere, away from the BTC Premiership.