Mponda, Chimodzi’s team relegated

Flames injury-plagued captain Peter Mponda and his compatriot Tawonga Chimodzi had their flirtation with the South African top-flight football league come to a cruel end on Saturday. Their team Santos was relegated to the National First Division following a 4-3 loss to Chippa United.

In a telephone interview from Cape Town on Sunday, Mponda, who is sidelined by a recurring knee injury, could not hide his disappointment over the prospect of returning to the second-tier league.

“We messed it up ourselves and we cannot blame anyone. We performed miserably throughout the season and ended second from the bottom of the log table.

“Then we had a chance to survive, but we still blew it. It’s really tough for us,” said Mponda.

However, the Flames skipper who still has a year remaining on his contract, said he was uncertain of where his future lies.

“Of course I still have a year left on my contract, but I need good rest for a couple of months in order to recover fully.

“My future will be determined when I meet the club’s management during the week,” he said sounding low.

Mponda who was named player of the year for Santos in 2011, hinted on the prospect of returning home for his rehabilitation.

This is not the first time for him to be relegated. He also went down with Black Leopards a couple of years back.