- Senior players want him out
- He has been accused of favoritism
LETLHOGILE MPUANG
Zebras assistant coach Sthandwa Mogwadi could soon find himself out of the head coaching role at Police XI due to his sour relationship with some of the senior players at the club.
Mogwadi who is deemed as one of the greatest gaffers to ever manage the jungle kings, following his 2006/07 league winning exploits was reappointed at the end of last season, taking over from Junior Letlamoreng. His first assignment was to save the side from relegation, which he successfully managed on the last day of the season.
After eight (8) rounds of play, they occupy eighth (8th) position in the BTC Premiership log standings with just eleven (11) points. It now appears that the man who was seen as the one to bring back the glory days to the club, has suddenly fallen out with his players. Last week, the coach told Gazette Sport that he was done with picking names in his Starting XI, but would prefer players who are hungry and determined to die for results on the field.
This came as an answer after questions as to why he had left out his senior players in their last game against BDF XI. Things now look to be reaching the boiling point, as some of his senior players and technical staff are said to be fed up with the coach and want him immediately out.
“The situation has gone from bad to worse here, players are fed up with the coach, they don’t want him anymore. Even some of his coaching staff just don’t want anything to do with him too,” said a source from within the technical team. This is said to have also brought more divisions amongst the players, and favoritism has been cited. “You have one side here which wants the coach, and the others over there, who don’t want anything to do with the coach. There are certain players that the coach wants, and others who he just doesn’t care about,” continued the Gazette Sport source.
“His main problem is the way he talks to the players and his arrogance towards them. Most players have lost respect for him,” he ended. When reached for comment on Monday morning, Police XI chairman Solomon Mantswe’s line was unavailable.
Meanwhile, the same situation is said to be the very same thing which saw Madinda Ndlovu part ways with Orapa United this past week. The club’s vice chairman Nkape confirmed Ndlovu’s sacking on Saturday in Letlhakane during their supporters membership and players launch.
He also revealed that Daniel Nare has been appointed on interim bases until they find a new coach in January. Reports in Orapa are already rife that Zambia’s Under 20 coach Beston Chambesi will take over in the new year.