Alex Masanjala, Civo part ways

Civo United Presidential Cup winning coach Alex Masanjala and goalkeeper trainer Philip Nyasulu have been sacked with effect from October 6.

Masanjala’s assistant Dave Chirwa resigned last week after picking a new job.

According to general secretary Rashid Ntelera, Civo will, in the meantime, be run by team manager Austin Nyondo until next week when a new coach is identified.

Civo executive terminated the services of their technical panel during an emergency meeting on Tuesday in Malawi’s capital, Lilongwe.

“It was a collective conclusion by the executive committee last evening, that the technical team has not performed well and the resolution reached was to terminate their contracts with immediate effect.

“Football is result-oriented and no positive results were forthcoming; hence, the decision to part ways with Mr. Masanjala,” said Ntelera.

He, however, hailed Masanjala for winning Civo the 2010 Presidential Cup.

“Definitely, he has been a success. He won the club a cup after over two decades. But in football, results have to be consistent. You always have to be ahead of the opponent,” said Ntelera.

He said Masanjala and Nyasulu will “very soon” be compensated according to their working conditions.

“He signed a rolling contract with the club. The agreement was that his contract could be terminated at any time depending on results. I do not see any legal implications in this,” said Ntelera.

Surprise

In an interview on Wednesday, Masanjala said he thought the issue of the team’s performance was resolved at the first meeting he had with the executive a month ago.

“I am surprised at the decision. I thought we were improving despite the loss to Epac on Sunday. We are able to create chances, but just failing to score, but it is their decision and there is nothing I can do about it,” said a surprised Masanjala.

He could not say much about his future, only that he loves Civo.

Civo captain Charles Beni expressed shock at the firing of Masanjala.

“The news has not yet reached me and [other] players, but we are shocked. He is a good coach who had so much faith in the youth. But in football matters, as players, we do not have any say. We wish him luck and success,” said Beni.

Masanjala has been at Civo for four years, where he won the Presidential Cup in 2010 and finished as runners-up in Standard Bank Cup the same year.

This season, Civo were knocked out of the Standard Bank Knockout Trophy by Silver Strikers. They are fifth on the current Super League table.