Chronicle Editor
Fungai Muderere , fungai.muderere#bmetro.co.zw
NUMBERS don’t lie!
South Africa’s struggling DStv Premiership outfit Richards Bay might be highly justified on their decision to sack their Zimbabwean gaffer Kaitano Tembo whose reign at the club saw the KwaZulu Natal-based side managing to post two wins from the 15 games they have played so far.
Tembo, a former Warriors defence stalwart, was fired on Christmas Day after a coaching period that saw his Richards Bay charges managing to collect a paltry 10 points from a possible 45 at a time the Super Diski competition has reached the halfway mark.
This is a development that translates to a 22 percent success rate.
As if that is not enough, Tembo’s total record in charge at Richards Bay saw the club post four wins, four draws, and 10 losses in his 18 matches and the club is firmly stuck in the relegation zone
Tembo was fired only two days after Richards Bay lost 1-0 away to Kaizer Chiefs and despite a performance where they more than matched their hosts, gave away a simple goal.
Tembo has been replaced by Vusumuzi Vilakazi “until further notice,” said the club in a statement.
“Richards Bay Football Club would like to announce the release of the head coach Mr. Kaitano Tembo with immediate effect. The club would like to thank the coach for his contribution during this season. We wish him all the best in his future endeavours,” it added.
The statement was released on Christmas Day, making for an unhappy holiday for the 53-year-old former Zimbabwe international defender.
Tembo was appointed as Richards Bay coach in July this year after Vasili Manousakis’ exit from the club.
The former Zimbabwean defender and SuperSport United head coach joined the KwaZulu Natal side following his stint with Sekhukhune United which came to an end in November 2022.
Vilakazi was most recently the technical director of Chippa United, but stepped down at the beginning of November, two months after being roped in by the club.
The former Golden Arrows coach will lead Richards Bay when the club plays SuperSport United at the King Zwelithini Stadium on December 30.
Tembo’s dismissal came days after another Zimbabwean coach Taurai Mangwiro was shown the exit by Botswana Premier League sdide Orapa United.
Mangwiro was fired three days before Chritsmas.
The decision to fire Mangwiro was reached by the club after Orapa United lost one nil to Nico United at home last Friday.
Mangwiro could have seen it coming considering that he only won three matches out of 12 league games this season and the team is two points away from the drop zone.
The club said they were very much grateful to Mangwiro’s dedicated time with the outfit and wished the ex-Harare City gaffer well in his future endeavours.
Zimbabwean coaches are not having the best of luck in Botswana as the news of Mangwiro’s firing came barely two months after the late Warriors legend Rahman Gumbo was fired by Morupule Wanderers.
A few days after that, the late Gumbo passed on due to a suspected heart attack. The Botswana Premier League has become home to Zimbabwean coaches and players. — @FungaiMuderere .
Online Reporter