Online Reporter
Sports Reporter
CAPS United president Farai Jere gave his coaches a two-game ultimatum, starting with the match against FC Platinum, to get their act together and start winning again, or face dismissal.
The Harare businessman was livid after the Green Machine crashed to a 1-2 defeat at the hands of Yadah and slipped into relegation trouble.
Jere, who was out of the country when CAPS slumped to that defeat to Yadah at Rufaro, returned home last week and read the Riot Act.
He summoned his entire coaching staff, led by Zambian gaffer Ian Bakala, to a meeting where he gave them the two-match ultimatum to turn the tide or face the sack.
He then summoned his senior players to yet another meeting where he allowed them to air their grievances and explain their sudden loss of form after their victory over Highlanders.
“The president was very clear to the coaches that he felt that they were not pulling in the same direction the way they were doing ahead of the match against Scottland,” sources told H-Metro.
“He said he was disappointed with the way the club was playing which was way off the levels the players set when they beat Scottland.
“He said the same passion and dedication which he saw in that match against Scottland and in the win against Highlanders were missing and something was wrong and he was demanding answers.
“He was unhappy that, all of a sudden, many of the regular players were saying they were injured and unavailable for selection and he demanded answers from the medical team.
“He made it clear that he felt that the unity which everyone had shown ahead of the match against Scottland was not there anymore and he made it clear that everyone should pull in one direction or everyone would go.”
The sources added:
“He told the technical team that it was in their interest that they should all pull in one direction because should the axe come it would affect everyone who is part of the coaching team.
“His message was that it was embarrassing that CAPS United should be fighting relegation when the players were getting very good incentives, including US$1,000 bonuses, to win the matches.
“The message was clear that the team should start winning. starting with the FC Platinum game, or there would be consequences.”
To highlight that he meant business, Jere directed that CAPS United should spend two days camping, and training, in Masvingo ahead of their showdown against FC Platinum.
The Green Machine won that match 1-0.
Contacted for comment yesterday, Jere said he would not discuss internal processes but confirmed that he challenged his men to start winning games.
“The good thing for us is that we have a coach who is prepared to listen and Ian is top class when it comes to that and this is why he has done well since we gave him the job.”
