Amini Soma-Phiri saga: Tshinga Dube speaks

HIGHLANDERS Football Club long time benefactor Rtd Col Tshinga Dube has urged the Bosso family to allow the executive to appoint the club's next coach without undue influence.

Dube said the mandate to appoint the coach lay with the executive hence people should trust them to make the right decision.

Dube, who is also the Member of Parliament for Makokoba, said the problem with interfering with the process might lead to the executive making a bad decision.

"We can say we want this now but what if tomorrow it doesn't turn out well for the club? What if things go wrong later after the executive has done what people want? I certainly believe they are the best placed people to decide as the onus is on them. As fans we can only back whatever decision they have made," said Dube.

There have been concerted calls within the Highlanders family for the club to elevate caretaker coach Amini Soma-Phiri into substantive gaffer following a successful 12-game stint.

Soma-Phiri turned the team's fortunes around after taking over from Bongani Mafu with nine games left with Bosso languishing on 10th position. With  Cosmas "Tsano" Zulu and Melusi Sibanda as part of the technical team, he steered Highlanders to a sixth finish on the 16-team log table. He added an icing on the cake when he beat Chicken Inn to lift the NetOne EasyCall Cup.

It was the manner in which Highlanders won the cup that won Soma-Phiri many hearts as he beat the top three teams in the league, FC Platinum, Dynamos and league champions Chicken Inn. Beating perennial rivals, Dynamos was another plus for the former Highlanders midfielder. Bosso beat DeMbare in the semi-finals of the top eight tournament bringing joy to the club's multitude of supporters who had been aching for a win over their erstwhile opponents in as many years.

Dube commended Soma-Phiri for his performance during his short stint.

"Amini was not brought in so that he could fail. The executive roped him in and Tsano because they had confidence in them but I am not sure what agreement they had with the executive whether it extended to next year or it ends but we should go by whatever decision the executive decides," he said.

Ironically Dube recommended Dutch coach, Erol Akbay to Highlanders and the gaffer was in the country in October for an interview at the club. Sources at the club said Akbay has already reached an agreement with Highlanders hence the decision by the executive not to engage Phiri as head coach for fear of "breach of contract."

However, according to impeccable sources the Bosso executive was willing to consider Phiri for other roles at the club. Bosso chief executive officer Ndumiso Gumede said the pressure being ratcheted up for Soma-Phiri to get the top job was an exercise in futility as the executive already had other plans. Gumede said supporters should let the executive make their decision as they would take the blame for any eventuality that might happen.

"It is unfortunate there were some people who called us names when we brought Amini and Tsano in, with some arguing we should have elevated Mandla Mpofu but now they are the ones who are clamouring that we should not touch these gentlemen and we should let them take over the coaching department full time. I believe the executive should be left to make their decision because if it backfires they are the ones who will take the flak," said Gumede.