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Ellina Mhlanga Sports Reporter
KAROI United chairman Kenson Kumponda has blamed their defeat against Herentals in the Northern Region Division One soccer league on the absence of their coach Luckson Phiri.Phiri did not attend Saturday’s game after a misunderstanding with the executive over his contract with allegations that there were some changes made concerning the payment of his bonuses without his consent.

Karoi lost 1-2 to Herentals at Chikangwe and the club chairman, Kumponda believes the unfortunate incident contributed to their defeat as the players were demotivated.

Kumponda admitted that the coach had some grievances, but could not give details about the dispute between the executive and the coach as he said they have presented the case to the council who are the sponsors of the team.

“We didn’t expect to lose (against Herentals), maybe it was morale shattering because the coach was not there. So I think there was confusion even players were not psyched up, they were demotivated.

“He has his own grievances and we took his case to the council. So we are waiting to hear from them,” said Kumponda.

Kumponda said the team is training under the guidance of Levison Solusi as the acting coach assisted by Philip Hoyo since Phiri has not been attending the sessions.

However, Karoi town secretary, Maxwell Kaitano said if there were changes to be made on the coach’s contract it was supposed to be done with both parties in agreement.

“If it’s being done it should be done in consent. There is no way one can vary someone’s contract without their consent but we will resolve that soon.

“Luckson Phiri is still the coach for Karoi United. The bottom line is the issue must be resolved amicably and our wish is to win the championship,” said Kaitano.

Phiri confirmed the development and said he is still waiting to hear from his bosses on the way forward.

“Before the Herentals game we had a late meeting around six in the evening on Friday and the executive said they were going to pay my bonuses at the end of the year which I said how it can be because they never consulted me. Since then I have not heard from them.

“Nobody can smile on that, where decisions are taken involving you and endorsed without you knowing. So I didn’t agree with them, that’s where I said I cannot take conditions imposed on me without being consulted. So they took it the other way and already they have taken a position against me for questioning why they got into my contractual agreement without my consent,” Phiri said.

Karoi United lock horns with Mushowani on Saturday at Chaminuka in Madziva.

Fixtures

Saturday: Ngezi v Blue Swallows (Baobab), Herentals v Cargo Carriers (NSS), Mushowani v Karoi United (Chaminuka Madziva), Gunners v DStv Rangers (Callies Sports Club), Black Rhinos v ZRP Morris (Rimuka), Lake Harvest v Blue Jets (Nyamhunga).

Sunday: ZRP FC v Starbill (Morris), Seven Flames v Zatex (Rufaro), Darwin v DC Academy (Pfura).