HOW Mine coach Philani “Beefy” Ncube yesterday tendered his resignation, just 24 hours after the club had said he was not going anywhere.
FORTUNE MBELE SPORTS REPORTER
Club vice-chairman Alpha Matumbura said he received Ncube’s letter of resignation in the morning amid reports that the axe was looming on the coach after the club reportedly interviewed a number of coaches for the job last week. Matumbura said one of Ncube’s reasons for leaving the job was his failure to produce results.
The Bulawayo-based team recorded just two points from their last eight matches, a record that triggered a free fall on the log standings.
They are currently on 11th place on the log with 23 points, just one ahead of Shabanie Mine who are sitting on the relegation cut-off point.
However, the team is in the last four of the One Wallet Cup after beating Highlanders in the previous round.
“Beefy has resigned. I received his letter of resignation this morning (yesterday). He says the results have not been coming after having gone for eight matches without picking up maximum points. In that regard, he thought it was only prudent for him to resign,” said Matumbura.
He added that assistant coach Sheunesu Chaka would take charge of the team in the meantime before a substantive coach — rumoured to be Luke Masomere — was appointed probably early next week.
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Chaka got How Mine promoted into the Premier Soccer League after clinching the 2012 Zifa Southern Region title.
Reports suggest Matumbura left for Harare yesterday to meet Masomere, currently coaching Buffaloes, to hold final talks on a coaching contract. It is believed the two parties met recently and Masomere was offered the job.
“Masomere is taking over from Beefy. It is a done deal,” said an impeccable source yesterday.
“Masomere should sign the contract today (yesterday). How Mine met with Masomere in Masvingo a few days ago.”
Some of the coaches that How Mine had reportedly targeted and interviewed are former Highlanders and Chicken Inn’s Mkhuphali Masuku, Highlanders assistant coach Mark Mathe, ex-Hardbody gaffer Godfrey Tamirepi and Lloyd Chitembwe.
Ncube yesterday also confirmed his resignation.
“It is true, I have resigned and the reason is results have not been coming. I thought the best thing was to resign. I couldn’t lead the boys any longer,” he said.
“Perhaps someone with better ideas will come on board. I just wish How Mine good luck. I had a good working relationship with Matumbura and James Zibhowa (club secretary), but in life not everybody can like you.”
The 2008 coach of the year with Njube Sundowns took over from Philani Mabhena last season and propelled How Mine to the final of the Mbada Diamonds Cup where they lost to Highlanders.
He also took the gold miners to the Orange Caf Confederation Cup where they had a fairy tale run before being knocked out by Bayelsa United FC of Nigeria in the second round.
