Phakaaathi.co.za Coach blood-letting in NFD
Sibongiseni Gumbi
Just 10 games in and eight coaches have already been fired in the National First Division (NFD), but former Mamelodi Sundowns player James Mayinga in not surprised.
Cape Town All Stars, Richards Bay, Mthatha Bucks, Mbombela United, Highlands Park, Royal Eagles, Ubuntu Cape Town FC and Black Leopards have already had a change of coaches.
“The NFD is really competitive this season,” said Mayinga yesterday. “At this point last season Thanda (Royal Zulu) were already opening up a gap but this season the margins are too narrow. You win two games and you are up there,” said the former Moroka Swallows player.
“Teams want to stay within touching distance of the leaders so if the results are not forthcoming the coach has to go. Even those who have made changes in their coaching department it is not guaranteed they will stay. There are five games to go before the end of the first round and if no radical change has happened, they might be fired,” Mayinga added.
Former Kaizer Chiefs defender David Kannemeyer was the first coach to feel the brunt of not producing positive results as he was fired even though the team was still in the chasing pack.
“Club owners don’t just wake up in the morning and decide to fire someone. But some decisions leave you wondering. Look at the Leopards coach (Jean Luscuito), he wasn’t doing badly but he was let go.
“My worry is Ubuntu who have not won a match. The owners spent so much money to get the status and if they were to be relegated it would be sad.”
Among coaches who have been axed are Roger Sikhakhane and Ian Palmer who have previously taken teams to the elite league.
“It’s all about what you can do now,” said Mayinga. “The game has changed and this season is not the same as the last. Mthatha Bucks players missed some sitters, some on one-on-one with the keeper basis but the coach must take the blame,” he said.