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Sikhumbuzo Moyo Senior Sports Reporter—
SPARKS are expected to fly when the Highlanders board of directors and executive hold a joint meeting tonight where head coach Bongani Mafu’s fate is likely to be decided. Bosso board secretary Jimmy Ncube confirmed that they would be holding a joint indaba with the executive, but said it was a scheduled gathering and not a crisis meeting.
“The issue has been so topical and I’m sure it will be on the agenda,” said Ncube referring to Mafu’s fate. Businessman Mgcini Nkolomi chairs the Highlanders’ board. Chronicle Sport had been reliably informed by a high ranking Bosso executive committee member that Mafu was to be axed because his boys floundered against Whawha at the weekend. They lost 0-1.
The executive then held a long meeting on Monday afternoon where it had been expected that Mafu’s departure would be announced, but differences are said to have emerged resulting in an announcement being canned. Social media was awash with rumours that Mafu had been shown the door and that a termination letter had already been written, but Bosso chief executive officer Ndumiso Gumede dismissed the talk saying he was still the head coach.
“It was made very clear to them (technical staff) that results are not pleasing. They were told that if they lose to Chicken Inn on Sunday, they would have failed to meet their set target even if they win all the remaining games thereafter. There hasn’t been any change to our technical bench as rumoured,” said Gumede.
Asked what would happen to the technical staff if Bosso fell to Chicken Inn, Gumede said they would cross that bridge once they got there, reiterating that Mafu remains in charge of the dressing room. Mafu was initially given a target of 18 points from the first 10 games of the season, but Bosso only managed 14 and Gumede then said the club’s structures would review the coach’s performance.
Since then, Bosso have played 10 more games and won 11 points. Sources had alleged that the executive had been forced by the board to rescind their decision to release Mafu, but board secretary Ncube denied that there was such interference. “There is no such thing as interference from the board. Hiring and firing of staff is the sole prerogative of the executive,” said Ncube.
“Yes, they can consult us here and there, but we never interfere with their decisions. Since we have a joint meeting tomorrow (today), I’m sure we will discuss the coach’s issue, it has been so topical.” Mafu had to be escorted out of the changing rooms by anti-riot police as fans bayed for his blood following Bosso’s loss to lowly Whawha.
Some fans reportedly followed the team to its camping base in Gweru and blocked the team bus from leaving by lying in front of it demanding an audience with Mafu. The fans later left the hotel after realising that their demands would not be met.
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