Royal Classic in turmoil

Ellina Mhlanga Sports Reporter
ROYAL Classic coach Mapiye Kapinde has threatened to leave the struggling side if differences between him and club owner Ranganai Chatura are not addressed.
The team, who are making their debut appearance in the World Navi Northern Region Division One soccer league, are languishing at the bottom of the log.
Mapiye is blaming club owner Chatura for allegedly interfering with the technical team.
The team were humbled 0-6 by Mushowani Stars on Saturday and Chatura, who is also the team manager, was in charge of that match.

Kapinde watched from the sidelines.
The coach had walked away from the team on Thursday due to a disagreement between the two on the type of play they want implemented at the club.
“We lost 6-0 but I wasn’t on the bench because team manger, Ranganai Chatura, was in charge of the team. He is also the director,” said Kapinde.

“On Thursday I just left the team when we could not agree on the way forward.
“The executive will meet later today (yesterday) to iron out our differences. If there are no changes I am quitting.

“Assistant coach, Rapozo left the team after game number five, that’s when I soldiered on because I thought we would agree and map the way forward but from there he (Chatura) began selecting the team saying his club has its own culture, they play a passing game not a counter-attacking one.

“But I told him I am the qualified coach and he doesn’t have any qualifications in that department, but he manipulates his position as the club owner.”
However, Chatura dismissed the claims and insisted that both coaches were still around and all is well within the club.

“The coaches are still around, they had some personal commitments and as the team manager I just took over the team.
“We are not looking for promotion, as an academy we are just doing development since we are new in the league. But at the same time we need points.

“Even when we started the project, the coaches really knew what we were doing, where we were coming from and where we are going,” said Chatura.
Chatura said their lack of experience has been their Achilles Heel, but they will continue fighting to remain in the top division.

“I was in charge of the game, it’s just a matter of experience, we have a junior team and most of our players are school-going but they are doing well and with time results should start coming.

“I know we are going to fight relegation come the end of the season, but we are not going to be demoted.
“It’s just a matter of patience needed,” Chatura said.

Mushowani got their goals from Idilisa Kaponda, who scored a scored a brace when he converted a penalty to give his side the lead in the 11th minute and struck again in the 58th minute.

The other goals came from Evans Katema (34th min), Zivanai Mhonda (61st min), Tendai Mutandi (64th min) and Melusi Doley (75th min).
Mushowani are now just three points behind log leaders, Bindura United, who were held to a goalless draw by Commando Bullets at their backyard at Chipadze.

Mushowani Stars coach, Paul “Popopo” Chimalizeni was a happy man after his side bounced back to their winning ways.