Chronicle Editor
Sikhumbuzo Moyo, Senior Sports Reporter
NOMADIC former Highlanders’ coach Mohamed Fathi has been appointed head coach of Moroccan top flight league club Club Athletic Youssoufia Berrechid.
The Egyptian was sacked by Zambian side Napsa Stars earlier this year and takes over a club that is 14th on the 16-team league table after registering a single win, one draw and three losses in the five games played so far this season.
Moroccan giants Wydad AC lead the Bolota, Moroccan top league with 13 points followed by rivals Raja Casablanca, who are on 12 points.
Fathi’s new employers finished 10th last season.
Napsa Stars were the third Zambian side to fire the Egyptian after Kabwe Warriors in 2008 and Power Dynamos the following year.
Fathi charmed the then Highlanders’ executive led by Themba Ndlela and he was hired as head coach of Bosso.
He was greeted with pomp and fanfare amid huge expectations from the entire Highlanders’ family, which had hoped the Egyptian would help them dominate the Premier Soccer League.
However, the two parties had a nasty divorce before the end of the season, with Fathi throwing in the towel in frustration over unfulfilled promises.
He accused Highlanders of not paying his salary, allowances and winning bonuses then amounting to US$22 000.
The feud was eventually settled in court where Highlanders were ordered to pay Fathi his dues.
Fathi, who was being represented by Omega Sibanda, also got a court order for him to attach Highlanders’ property and a team bus, computers, sofas, a television set and a double door fridge.
Sibanda, however, later decided against going ahead with the sale of the attached Bosso property.
The then Mines Minister Obert Mpofu came to Bosso’s rescue by paying Fathi what the club owed him.
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter