adminTawanda Mangoma Lowveld Correspondent
BIGGIE Zuze’s fate at Triangle United FC now hangs in the balance with the executive alleged to be in private talks with former head coach Gishon Ntini.Ntini was shown the exit door at Gibbo Stadium after he was allegedly involved in a fierce clash with club chairman Lovemore Matikinyidze over the signing of players.
The executive is said to be considering bringing back Ntini to Gibbo Stadium after Tongaat Hullet’s senior management did not bless the coach’s dismissal as they were happy with his performance last year.
Successor Zuze and his charges have so far failed to impress and appear among the favourites for the chop.
The move to bring back Ntini is likely to receive backing from the team’s supporters as they have been starved of celebrations at home as the only win has been against Chiredzi FC, otherwise it’s been a chain of defeats and draws.
The fallout between Zuze and supporters was precipitated by the Sugar Sugar Boys’ 1-5 defeat in their backyard to newly promoted ZPC Kariba.
“Gizha” left the Lowveld outfit early this year after a two-and-a-half year relationship with the team.
During his tenure, he led the team into the Premiership after winning the Sylvia Dube Cup in 2012 during their Division One days.
They finished seventh last season.
He was denied contract extension after a fallout with the executive.
Sources say Ntini’s return is most likely to push Zuze to work as assistant coach while the rest of the technical team who include Lovemore Dzoro and goalkeepers’ coach Gift Muzadzi will remain as assistants.
Ntini is currently unattached after his attempts to join a Division One side based in Beitbridge flopped as the team was disbanded.
Insiders within the sugar milling giant say Triangle FC chairman Matikinyidze’s decision to dismiss Ntini was now backfiring as the appointment of Zuze had triggered outrage from supporters and senior Tongaat Hullet management.
“Matikinyidze is now regretting his decision. The company management and supporters are questioning why he dismissed Ntini for unclear reasons replacing him with Zuze who has a history of sending teams back to lower leagues,” said a source.
Last season, Zuze’s Monomotapa were relegated from the Premiership.
Blue Ribbon, where he once coached, were also relegated.
Reached for comment, Ntini said talks between him and Tongaat Hullet were not official but he would love to come back to Gibbo Stadium.
“There is nothing much to talk about my return to Triangle because nothing has been made official. However, given the opportunity to come to Gibbo I would love to be there because the team and I had created a very strong bond which no one can take away,” he said.
Asked whether he would be able to settle his differences with Matikinyidze, Ntini downplayed the matter saying there are no permanent enemies in football.
“The squabbles between me and Matikinyidze were exaggerated in the press. Like any other institution people have differences which we have to put aside for the sake of progress. There are no permanent enemies in football and trust me everything will just be fine,” said Ntini.
Online Reporter