HIGHLANDERS coach Bongani Mafu’s job is on the line with the axe hovering over his head ahead of his make-or-break tie against Premier Soccer League log leaders Chicken Inn this weekend.
BY THANDIWE MOYO
The Bulawayo giants have given Mafu an ultimatum to win against Chicken Inn and save his job or lose and pack his bags.
However, sources said Mafu was already on his way out, but had not been served with his termination of contract papers as yet.
The sources said the coach, who joined the team at the start of this season, could find his way out of the team by the end of the week as tension mounts at 50 Robert Mugabe Way.
“He has not been served with papers as yet. The board is still to endorse a decision to either relieve him of his duties or keep him. What I can tell you is that last night, he was told the next game is the most important for him,” the source said.
Speculation was rife on social media that Mafu had been relieved of his duties following two successive losses in the league.
Mafu lost to FC Platinum 1-2 before losing 1-0 to struggling WhaWha on Sunday.
Mafu led training yesterday at Barbourfields Stadium with assistant coach Mandla Mpofu, goalkeepers’ coach Peter Nkomo, team manager Netsai Moyo and kit manager Vezi Dlodlo.
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Bosso chief executive Ndumiso Gumede shot down speculation that Mafu had been fired, saying they had given him the Chicken Inn match to pull his socks.
Mafu 1
“The executive expressed their disappointment at the turn of events that the coach failed to meet his 10-match target and he was given another 10 matches, but things got worse. His performance in the next match is critical because if they fail to get a positive outcome, the executive will be weighing their options on the way forward,” Gumede said.
He said they were surprised by the remarks on social media that Mafu had been shown the exit door.
“We are astounded by remarks on social media about the situation. As usual, we held our review and are planning a meeting on Monday with the technical team to give them the opportunity to explain the Platinum and Whawha matches. They were told that the next game is critical and that if it is a loss, it would spell doom for the club,” he said.
Gumede took the time to say: “Highlanders is an organised institution and if something of that nature happens, the first person who will be informed is the person affected. All other sub-sectors will be informed thereafter.”
Mafu conceded that everything was not well at the club, but said he had not received any letter from the team.
“Things are not well at the club,” he said.
“Everyone, both inside and outside the club, is anticipating that the axe will fall. The axe has not fallen yet. We understand that the supporters are not getting the results they deserve,” he said.
Mafu added: “Let’s not fire each other in the media.”
However, last year when Kelvin Kaindu resigned, Highlanders played their cards close to their chest and only revealed that he had resigned later during the week.
