admineven, though, he believes the Super Diski minnows would have done better with the signing of seasoned players once they were promoted into the South African Premiership.
Mhofu stepped down from his job as head coach of Lidoda Duvha on Monday, just two days after the club had crashed out of the Telkom Knockout Cup at the hands of Orlando Pirates, and a day after a crisis meeting called up by club owner, David Thidiela.
Initial reports had speculated that Chidzambwa was axed but Black Leopards released a statement on Wednesday clarifying that position and confirming that the Zimbabwean coach decided to step down because of personal concerns related to where he was taking the team.
Chidzambwa told The Herald yesterday that he told Thidiela at their meeting in Johannesburg on Monday that he was convinced that he had failed in his mission to make Black Leopards a competitive team in the richest football league in Africa.
“After our game against Orlando Pirates, the owner of Black Leopards came to talk to me to discuss the game that we had lost and the direction the team was taking,” said Chidzambwa.
“I told my boss that, as has always been my habit in all my years in coaching, I’m not usually comfortable discussing football issues related to my team, especially against a background where emotions would be running high after a loss.
“On Monday, we met in Johannesburg and, given that I was now settled and had also taken time to think about the situation, I advised the club’s owner that I was convinced that I had failed in my mission and I was of the feeling that the team needed a new coach as soon as possible.
“There was disbelief, on the part of my boss, who felt that I was probably reacting too quickly but I stuck to my guns because I was really feeling strongly about that position and nothing was going to make me change my mind. I told him that I felt I had done my best for the club but I couldn’t take the players that we have right now to another level and there was need for someone to come on board and maybe he could do things differently and it could work out.
“I have come a long way in this game and I know when I have to make big decisions and, after the game against Pirates, I was so sure I had to make a move.”
Chidzambwa also revealed that he asked to be released from his contract so that he could return home and work on other projects.
“I told him (Thidiela) that I wanted to go back home but the chairman made it clear that I would be going nowhere,” said Chidzambwa.
“He said while he could consider my decision to resign from being the club’s head coach, he wasn’t ready to let me leave the club because he still believes that I could play a big role in another position at the team.
“I think when you have gone through what we have done together in the past year, winning promotion from Division One, when the odds were against us, and going into the final of the Nedbank Cup.
“I believe there is mutual respect between the club’s owner and myself because in the past year we have fought so many battles together and have also managed to achieve some special things in a very short time.
“I told him I was ready to work in another position at the club, for the mean time, and we will see how it goes.”
The former Warriors and Dynamos coach revealed that he will advise the new coach, Vladislav Heric, in his first three matches as they try to manage the transition smoothly.
“The chairman instructed me that I have to help the incoming coach because he needs information on the players that we have here and I said I have no problem doing that,” said Chidzambwa.
“I introduced each and every player to the new coach, when he had his first training session, and discussed with him some of the technical issues related to the players.
“For your own information, I will be sitting on the bench, helping the new coach, in the next three games and, after that, we feel that he will be ready to work on his own.
“I think you guys have dealt with a lot of cases that deal with coaches who have been fired and I am so sure you will understand that they don’t get the time to help the incoming coach or sit with him on the bench for some games.”
Chidzambwa said he still feels Black Leopards would have competed better, in Super Diski, if they had brought in some experienced players into the team. The Zimbabwean coach initially wanted to take midfielder Archford Gutu to Black Leopards but the rising star decided to sign for a Swedish club, which he will join next month.
A deal to try and take Tawanda Muparati from Dynamos to Lidoda Duvha also fell through while, crucially, Black Leopards also lost their best player from last season, Malawian midfielder Robert Ngiambi, who joined Platinum Stars.
“There is no question about the fact that the team could have done a far better job in the league and the cup competitions if we had added two or three experienced players into our squad,” said Chidzambwa.
“But the club has a management that makes decisions and I have to praise my players, the ones who are in the team, for fighting very hard all the time and giving it their best shot.
“It’s unfortunate we couldn’t get where we wanted but they are an exemplary group and I also feel they missed the experience of Kingstone Nkhatha in attack in our last few games when he was injured.
“But that’s the way life is and we will see how it goes on but I’m so sure I will be here until the end of the season next year.”
Online Reporter