A year of seven coaching casualties
This is perhaps a best-to-be-forgotten year for most TNM Super League coaches who worked with axes hanging over their heads.
In total, seven coaches were chopped with a few others barely surviving the axe.
Veteran Alex Masanjala is the latest casualty following his removal from Civo United recently. But the season started with Mafco removing Temwa Msuku who is now sitting in for Nicholas Mhango at Moyale Barracks.
At the start of the campaign, Mafco recalled Stereo Gondwe.
In Blantyre, a four-game losing streak on all fronts proved to be the final straw that broke the camel’s back as Mighty Wanderers sent Frank ‘Franco’ Ndawa packing.
By mutual agreement, Wanderers general secretary David Kanyenda, in a carefully worded press statement, announced Ndawa’s sacking alongside team manager McHodges Chunga.
The club settled for a combination of old school coach Felix Fosiko and up-and-coming Albert Mpinganjira to head the coaching panel.
Sooner than later, the 2012 Standard Bank Knockout Trophy was on its way to the famed Lali Lubani Road following a 2-0 outsmarting of favourites, Silver Strikers, at the latter’s backyard.
What made the Nomads’ triumphant trip to Area 47 ironic was that they spoiled an otherwise smooth start for their former employee, Ndawa.
Apparently, after getting wind of Ndawa’s dismissal in Blantyre, Silver wasted no time in sacking Thom Mkolongo who described his removal as unfair. He said he did not deserve the sack considering that the Bankers finished the first round of the TNM Super League on top.
Mkolongo was soon on his way to the Industrial Relations Court, which eventually refused to hear his case. He never pursued the matter further only for Civo to come knocking on his door.
He was to replace Masanjala who won the Presidential Cup in 2010 and subsequently took Civo to two cup finals.
At the powerhouse, having fired some eight key players, including Heston Munthali, Chimango Kaira, James Chilapondwa and Noel Mkandawire, Escom management turned their axe on the coaching panel.
A run of poor results that had the Electricians staring relegation in the face, saw Escom executive asking Charles Manda to fire one of his two assistants, Aubrey Nankhuni and McDonald Mtetemera, according to a source.
Chairperson Fanuel Nkhono, whose executive eventually claimed it was Manda who asked for the release of the experienced players, pushed aside Manda, Nankhuni and Mtetemera until the second round.
Nkhono promised to review the issues of the coaches in the early stages of the Super League second round. It has not happened yet,
At the time of writing, caretaker player/coaches Kondwani Gawani, Noel Mkandawire, Jacob Ngwira and Chiukepo Msowoya managed to steer Escom to Carlsberg Cup final.
But survival in the Super League remains a risky business as the Electricians remain second from the bottom.
