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Ricky Zililo Senior Sports Reporter
MANDLA “Lulu” Mpofu has been elevated to the position of head coach at relegation staring Bantu Rovers FC in their bid to save the club from sinking.
Tshintsha Guluva who are second from the bottom need divine intervention to survive the chop as they have accumulated 17 points from their 22 matches.
Bantu Rovers’ founding president Methembe Ndlovu has been at the helm of the club since the beginning of the season when they acquired Plumtree Chiefs’ franchise but has failed to steer the ship out of turbulence.
Confirming the elevation of Mpofu, Bantu Rovers’ general manager Wilbert Sibanda chose to be diplomatic in his statement, saying the former is an “associate” head coach. There is no such title in football it was as if he did not want to confirm that Ndlovu would be taking a back seat to allow Mpofu to steer the team away from trouble.
“It is true that we have made some technical shake up at the club with former assistant coach Mandla Mpofu being an associate head coach with Methembe Ndlovu. What this simple means is that he assumes same powers with Ndlovu and they are level in terms of authority and whatever decisions he makes are equal to Ndlovu’s.
“The other thing that you must note is that this is a promotion for Mpofu because we value his services to the club and that is why he has also agreed to extend his stay until the end of 2015. It shows commitment on his part as well as appreciation of his input by the club,” said Sibanda.
According to Sibanda, Mpofu will be on the hot seat for Bantu Rovers’ next two league matches against Chicken Inn in a local derby in Week 23 and they home tie with Hwange.
Ndlovu will be away on business.
With just eight rounds of matches left before the season ends, Tshintsha Guluva need a miracle to survive and may be the elevation of the former Chicken Inn and national Under-20 assistant coach could help them.
If they win all their remaining games they will end the season with 41 points which Sibanda believes will be enough for the to stay in the Premiership.
“We might be down but we certainly not out. In eight games a lot of things can happen and what is required is to concentrate on our matches. We are taking each game as it comes and we are not throwing the towel into the ring as yet,” Sibanda said.
It remains to be seen whether Bantu Rovers’ decision to have two bulls in one kraal will save them from sinking deeper.
Online Reporter