Sports / Soccer
Mkhuphali Masuku fired
14 Feb 2013 at 04:50hrs | Views
FORMER Highlanders coach Mkhuphali Masuku yesterday severed ties with Caps United as unrest at the club continues.
Masuku was handed his letter of dismissal last night, a day after seven senior players were allegedly told not to train with the team by some sections of management.
Twine Phiri did not respond to calls from Chronicle Sport over the coach's fate and that of seven senior players.
A lady who answered his phone said he was in a meeting that would end late into the night.
Rahman Kutsanzira, Asani Nhongo, Tendai Samanja, Nqobile Mpala, Blessing Zabula, Itayi Chiwara, Tapiwa Kumbuyani, Leonard Fiyado and Hardlife Zvirekwi did not train on Tuesday allegedly protesting against unpaid salaries.
Reports from Harare last night were that the players had been issued with clearance letters signed by new manager Joe Makuvire that stated they have to look for clubs of their own choice.
The club has had all sorts of problems since last year with the team releasing key players - Nyasha Mukumbi and Edmore Sibanda - allegedly for sabotaging new coaches Tauya Mangwiro and Masuku.
Former co-director Farai Jere believed to have been the key sponsor quit the club towards the end of the year when survival in the Castle Lager Premiership appeared already secured.
There were delays in paying the players which was blamed on management.
This year the club's preparations began late with the coach always seen in Bulawayo. It was only after Phiri took the trouble to find out why the coach was not in Harare that he discovered that his travel and accommodation had not been attended to.
Another key member of the Caps family, Maxwell Mironga, quit as chief executive officer to add to the club's woes.
On Tuesday, Masuku trained a largely junior side.
In an interview last night Masuku denied having a hand in the strike.
"My conscience is clear. I am a football person through and through and I will never be involved in any industrial action. I was against it as a player at both AmaZulu and Highlanders even when we went for a long time without getting our dues. I never stopped any player from coming for training.
"I will not say much about the problems at the club. I wish them all the best in the campaign, I harbour no ill-feelings, perhaps some day I will return to complete what we started with Mangwiro last year. The club is a brand that should take its rightful place in Zimbabwe football," said Masuku.
Players last night said there was a communication breakdown at the club with friendly matches arranged behind Masuku's back.
It is believed that the unco-ordinated pre-season programme which Masuku did not agree to could have cost him his job.
Efforts to get a comment from manager Makuvire were fruitless last night.
Brenna Msiska has emerged as one of the favourites to take over.
Masuku was handed his letter of dismissal last night, a day after seven senior players were allegedly told not to train with the team by some sections of management.
Twine Phiri did not respond to calls from Chronicle Sport over the coach's fate and that of seven senior players.
A lady who answered his phone said he was in a meeting that would end late into the night.
Rahman Kutsanzira, Asani Nhongo, Tendai Samanja, Nqobile Mpala, Blessing Zabula, Itayi Chiwara, Tapiwa Kumbuyani, Leonard Fiyado and Hardlife Zvirekwi did not train on Tuesday allegedly protesting against unpaid salaries.
Reports from Harare last night were that the players had been issued with clearance letters signed by new manager Joe Makuvire that stated they have to look for clubs of their own choice.
The club has had all sorts of problems since last year with the team releasing key players - Nyasha Mukumbi and Edmore Sibanda - allegedly for sabotaging new coaches Tauya Mangwiro and Masuku.
Former co-director Farai Jere believed to have been the key sponsor quit the club towards the end of the year when survival in the Castle Lager Premiership appeared already secured.
There were delays in paying the players which was blamed on management.
This year the club's preparations began late with the coach always seen in Bulawayo. It was only after Phiri took the trouble to find out why the coach was not in Harare that he discovered that his travel and accommodation had not been attended to.
Another key member of the Caps family, Maxwell Mironga, quit as chief executive officer to add to the club's woes.
On Tuesday, Masuku trained a largely junior side.
In an interview last night Masuku denied having a hand in the strike.
"My conscience is clear. I am a football person through and through and I will never be involved in any industrial action. I was against it as a player at both AmaZulu and Highlanders even when we went for a long time without getting our dues. I never stopped any player from coming for training.
"I will not say much about the problems at the club. I wish them all the best in the campaign, I harbour no ill-feelings, perhaps some day I will return to complete what we started with Mangwiro last year. The club is a brand that should take its rightful place in Zimbabwe football," said Masuku.
Players last night said there was a communication breakdown at the club with friendly matches arranged behind Masuku's back.
It is believed that the unco-ordinated pre-season programme which Masuku did not agree to could have cost him his job.
Efforts to get a comment from manager Makuvire were fruitless last night.
Brenna Msiska has emerged as one of the favourites to take over.
Source - chronicle
