Surestream Academy fires three coaches

Surestream Football Academy has fired coaches Henry Solomon, Honest Nkhwazi and Aubrey ‘Mpeza’ Magombo, saying their posts are no longer required.

However, the coaches, who were attached to the academy’s Under-14 and Under-12 teams, have taken the matter to their lawyers with a claim that they have been unfairly dismissed.

According to the academy’s public relations officer Linda Chiume-Gombela, the expulsion of the three follows their restructuring process that requires them to have only A-licence coaching certificate holders drilling the youths in their fold.

“We are undergoing  restructuring of which requires us to trim the technical panel and have only highly qualified coaches. Unfortunately, the three were deemed to be extra to requirement,” she said.

The letters, which have been signed by Surestream director Oscar Mumba for managing director Keith Robinson, read in part: “After a review of the functions and organisation of the academy, it has been decided by the management team and endorsed by the managing director to reduce the number of football coaching staff and unfortunately, your post has been selected as no longer being required.”

Nevertheless, the coaches, through Gondwe & Attorneys, have written Surestream and are expected to file a case of unfair dismissal.

Gombela-Chiume confirmed yesterday that they have received the letter from the law firm and will respond within seven days. The Gondwe & Attorney’s letter was signed by Mateyu Msiska.

The coaches were hired under the administration of Surestream Academy’s former technical director Peter Mponda and they believe their expulsion is partly attributed to his departure. But Gombela said the contract termination has nothing to do with the coaches’ loyalty to the former Flames captain.n