Black Rhinos reshuffle coaching staff

Eddie Chikamhi Sports Reporter
STRUGGLING army side Black Rhinos have parted ways with Arthur Tutani and his backroom staff as they look to turn around their fortunes in the second half of the season.
The club’s secretary-general, Roy Svovanepasi, yesterday told The Herald that they have since replaced the head coach with Jostein Mathuthu-Mambo.

The new appointments will also see the return of the club’s sons, Gift Kamuriwo, who comes in as assistant coach, and new goalkeeper’s coach Britto Gwere.

Svovanepasi said Tutani and his assistant, Ndega Matsika, were shown the exit following a run of poor results this year.

“The executive has decided to relieve Tutani and his assistants of their duties and we have replaced them with new people,” said Svovanepasi.

“So we have appointed Jostein Mathuthu as head coach and he will be assisted by Gift Kamuriwo.

“What we want as a team are results but those results were not coming as we had expected from the start of the season.

“So, we are hoping those that are coming in will be able to steer the team away from relegation, that is the target now.

“I think we have a very good team and we don’t deserve to be where we are on the log table. If you look at it, there is really no reason why we shouldn’t be a strong team because we have the advantage to draw players from some of our sister clubs.”

He said the coaches will be given maximum support.

“If the new coaches want to beef up it will be up to them,” said Svovanepasi.

“We have also been receiving support from our superiors and our sponsors Savanna Tobacco, who have been with us since those days when we were playing in Division One.

“We are encouraging the guys to keep working hard and, hopefully, we will end the season in a better position.”

Mathuthu’s first assignment will be against How Mine next week and followed by a home game against defending league champions Dynamos.

Rhinos are currently third from the bottom with 15 points from as many games.

The club’s executive said they had expected better results after the team managed to win only four, drawing three and losing eight matches at the halfway stage of the marathon.

Tutani, who saved the team from the chop last year after taking over from Nesbert Saruchera, admitted he was experiencing a difficult time and at some point announced his resignation.

However, the club’s superiors overturned his decision.