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Bongani Mafu

Grace Chingoma Sports Reporter
IT appears it’s now a question of when, rather than if, Bongani Mafu will be relieved of his duties as Highlanders coach and the early indications are that it might happen soon. Club chairman Peter Dube chose to be diplomatic. “The club sits in a very uncomfortable position. It is everyone’s concern particularly for people within the club system when we think of our own supporters, followers, members, and more so our sponsors,” said Dube.

“We will certainly never want a situation where the value or brand of the club gets compromised to the level where we think it is getting to. “So, in reaction to the situation that pertains on the ground currently, talking to you while I am away in Harare, and managing to consult with all stakeholders including my own colleagues on the executive committee of the team, I can rest assure you that measures are being taken to address the unfavourable situation the club finds itself in.

“And these measures are not a long-term planned matter but I must not forget to mention to you that whilst the best interests of the club would be taken into account, we also want to act as administrators or leaders at this big institution with all the responsibility and the human aspect that would be expected or has always been expected and realised at our club.

“But certainly uppermost in our minds is to say this situation, a big shift must be attained and it is an immediate sort of quest from everyone that the situation must change.

“At this moment in time, I cannot be exact as to what measures will be taken, with all due respect on the whole system to be accorded enough chance, enough time in coming up with a decision but also when the situation is revealed to everyone, you really want to pay enough respect to the whole institution and all our followers.

“I am not even sure to say the break on the league fixtures is a blessing or not, but I can tell you there has always been a plus for every situation at Highlanders.” Chief executive Ndumiso Gumede, however, did not mince his words. “Last week, I said the next game against Chicken Inn is going to be critical to the continuance of the technical team,” said Gumede.

“All I know is that Highlanders have a set routine of having meetings every Monday where they review and plan. “For this week don’t even ask me if Mafu would be fired because Monday I was here and the chairman was also here and my treasurer is in the United States, that is not a decision that can be taken by the SG (Secretary General) and the committee member alone.

“So, until all of us are together, then we can begin to say what is the way forward. “At Highlanders we pride ourselves in that those decisions are just not taken by one unit, we have a human resources side which is involved, which is going to look at what are the consequences for a such a decision, we have the finance side, who have to look at any monies still owed or promised, and the legal side which says here we are in breach or not.

“But right now as we talk nothing has happened and we must not be pressured by the fourth estate or the supporters to rush into a decision.” Gumede said it was right for the leadership to take their time. “Last year, we had a situation where one of our coaches walked out after being intimidated, the next thing we were told it’s us who pushed him out, when in fact when he came out of the stadium, he went straight to the changing room and bade his players farewell,” said Gumede.

“He only came for the review and planning meeting on Monday to tell us that, no, if my life is going to be in danger I better go, but the peddling of the story was that he was pushed out, they wanted him out. “But some of the people who were saying we are prepared to drive Kaindu (Kelvin) to Victoria Falls and let him go are the same people now who are saying to us why did you let him go. “So it is very a difficult decision for us as administrators to meet the desires of all the persons who follow us.”