adminRicky Zililo Sports Reporter
HOW Mine FC are seeking professional advice before responding to their ex-coach Philani Mabhena’s demands, chairman Mlondolozi Nkomo has said.The Metallon Gold sponsored club said they had asked for time to respond to Mabhena’s demands. Mabhena who was fired last month, engaged city lawyer Shepherd Chamunorwa of Calderwood, Bryce Hendrie and Partners to help him recover his severance package following what he described as unfair dismissal.
In an interview on Tuesday, Nkomo said they were making consultations so that they can get an informed interpretation of Mabhena’s contract.
In his letter of demand, Mabhena accused the club of breaching its own terms when they fired him because he did not fail to reach his target of 30 points from 20 matches.
“I think the interpretation of clauses in the contract is key here and that is why we have asked for time to respond to his demands. When we took the decision to relieve him, our understanding was that he had failed to meet our expectations. He only managed four points from a possible 24, an indication that he was not going to meet the target.
“It must be noted that we are not fighting Mabhena and we hope he is not fighting us and what he has done (taking legal action) is within his rights,” said Nkomo.
When How Mine fired Mabhena, he had amassed 24 points from 18 outings. How Mine went on to beat Chicken Inn 2-1 in Week 19 taking their points tally to 27 and played to a goalless draw with Black Mambas. In both matches, Philani ‘Beefy’ Ncube was in charge of the miners.
It is Mabhena’s contention that he could have managed to reach his 30 points target with wins over Chicken Inn and Black Mambas.
Contacted for comment yesterday, Chamunorwa said he was in the dark about How Mine’s request for more time.
“I am not aware of How Mine’s request for time to respond. Besides the letter of demand I wrote to How Mine, I have not seen anything from them and I am sorry I cannot comment any further,” he said.
Mabhena is the third premiership coach to be fired this season after Nesbert Saruchera (Black Rhinos), Saul Chaminuka (Buffaloes) and Friday Phiri (Tripple B). Tennant Chilumba also left FC Platinum but it was on his own accord.
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