Chronicle Editor
Lovemore Dube
FOOTBALL coach and academic Joseph Sibindi was not fired at Bulawayo Chiefs FC but voluntarily exited.
This was revealed by club owner Lovemore Sibanda during the Bulawayo Chiefs clash with ZPC Kariba on Saturday.
Sibindi who had replaced Lizwe Sweswe who joined Sheasham two months ago, had been brought on board as assistant coach before being elevated to head coach.
After three defeats on the trot the club brought in Johanisi Nhumwa to be his assistant but Sibindi opted out. The club wanted to elevate him to technical manager in charge of overall technical issues from juniors to the first team, a post he declined.
When Nhumwa came Sibindi was introduced as head coach, with Nhumwa his first assistant and Shadreck Mlauzi the second assistant.
“We did not fire Sibindi. The departure was his decision. I wanted him to carry on, we believed in his vision and we thought we could get somewhere with the project with someone like him,” said the soft-spoken director who last year was given a rare cheer when his boys won the Chibuku Super Cup with a 1-0 win over Herentals.
Sibindi in an interview yesterday morning confirmed that he had opted out for personal reasons.
“I was not fired, the boss still wanted me on his project. He thought we could do something together but I thought it was not time perhaps giving the reigns to a different set of hands would work the magic.
“The director was very positive with me and the project he wanted us to do,” said Sibindi a sports scientist at the National University of Science and Technology where he has earned the title “Doctor” after years of practice and research.
Nhumwa has presided over two matches losing on penalties to Bosso in the Chibuku Super Cup and earning a draw in a league match against ZPC Kariba at Luveve Stadium on Saturday.
Sibindi refused to confirm his next destination.
“I have always had my Nust football project. I am on it. I can’t say anything about elsewhere, except to say Bulawayo Chiefs have a decent crop of players that I am sure will not be relegated,” said Sibindi.
His Nust team plays in the Bulawayo Division Two Soccer League.
Online Reporter