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Grace Chingoma Sports Reporter
FLAME Lily coach Nesbert Saruchera was relieved of his duties yesterday following a string of poor results which saw the team rooted lowly on the log table with a paltry nine points from 12 matches.

The former Black Rhinos coach was fired together with his entire technical team which had Masimba Mutame, his deputy, Marufu Tepatepa goalkeeper’s coach and team manager Maxwell Chifuko. Flame Lily head of development and former Flame Lily women’s soccer club coach, Backlyfield Chivenga, is now the interim coach.

He would be assisted by Roy Rusenza who was once the head coach of the prison outfit when it was still in Division One. Yesterday, club secretary, Alfred Machingauta, revealed they have parted ways with Saruchera.

“We have failed to get results. So we agreed to part ways with Saruchera.

“Chivenga, who was with our juniors and was head of development, is taking over. He will be working with Roy Rusenza, who was the coach in Division One when the team finished second behind Blue Ribbon.

“Brodreck Muchezi would be the goalkeeper’s coach while Crispen Nyatondo would be manager.

“They are in as an interim capacity and if they perform well for the next three games we can engage them,” he said. The club secretary said they were still optimistic they can survive relegation.

“The team is quite okay. We can get results if they are professional. The coaches are looking forward to engage other players (during the transfer window) because they have identified some shortcomings.”

Saruchera, said he was not bitter and wished the club well.

“I received the call last night (Monday) from the secretary that they no longer want my services. My contract was supposed to expire in December.

“We managed to assemble a good squad and, maybe, they hurried their decision as I don’t believe I was the problem as I tried my best under the circumstances and pushed the boys very hard when the motivation (financially) was not there.

“I don’t think it would be easy for the next coach but I am not bitter and, maybe, they felt change may make things work and someone can do better.

“They are not a bad side. The youngsters are there but they need to be motivated but there is nothing and I just thought we would work together to achieve something. “For the rest of this year, I will have a break and see what next season has to offer,” he said.