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Bob back at Nomads, Madeira resigns

 

Be Forward Wanderers have reinstated Bob Mpinganjira as head coach and have also taken on board Civil Sporting Club assistant coach Oscar Kaunda as his deputy on a two-year deal.

Meanwhile, team manager Steve Madeira has resigned following pressure from a section of  the team’s supporters and players.

Bob’s reinstatement comes weeks after the Nomads stopped him from his duties and replaced him with his young brother Albert in an interim capacity.

Wanderers general secretary (GS) Mike Butao yesterday said they brought Bob back after he accepted some conditions that have been set for him.

Bob: I have agreed to the conditions

“As stated earlier on, we officially only released [technical director] Yasin Osman and [assistant coach] Allan Kamanga. Bob was suspended pending further consultations so to speak.

“Our stand was that he [Bob] could not be prioritising national teams like he is at Wanderers on secondment. So, a couple of days ago we asked him to choose between Wanderers and national teams and we gave him an ultimatum to which he has accepted,” he said.

Added the GS: “We believe that with these decisions, we will be back on track because we feel it was Bob’s absence which was affecting the performance of the team.

“We have brought in Oscar because he has a proven track record and he is also a strict disciplinarian.”

In an interview yesterday, Bob confirmed having agreed to the conditions set by the Nomads.

“We had a meeting yesterday [Monday] where I committed to Wanderers. I think their observation is right and the Cosafa Cup will be my last national team engagement..

However, the Nomads’ main supporters committee chairperson Melvin Nkunika said the changes are not entirely in line with what was agreed.

Kaunda confirmed his recruitment, saying: “I have indeed agreed a deal with Wanderers, I anticipate a tough task, but in this career it is good to take up such challenges. I look forward to a new lease of life at Wanderers.”

However, Civil Sporting general secretary Ronald Chiwaula said they were not aware of Kaunda’s departure.

“Honestly it’s news to me. I was speaking to him this morning [yesterday], but he never mentioned anything to that effect,” he said.

Meanwhile, according to a letter we have seen, Madeira has resigned following pressure from some supporters and players who demanded his removal.

“After a careful consideration, friends and family advice, I write to notify you that—am stepping down from Be Forward Wanderers FC with immediate effect. The accusations of me being a confusionist and political issues surrounding this huge club are the primary reasons for my stepping down,” reads the letter in part.

Following the resignation, Madeira has given the club 72 hours to pay him K7 million he claims it owes him.

“Madeira confirmed the development in an interview.

“I would like to thank the trustees, the executive, fellow technical members, the players and the supporters for the memories we have made together.  This team gave me the opportunity to grow in management and crisis solving,” he said.

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