Dugout headwinds may strike Tornado
Family weighing up a few options to replace former coach Motsoeneng
mfundop@dispatch.co.za
ABC Motsepe League reigning champions Tornado will go into their crucial opening encounter against Birmingham City without a coach as they were still searching for a replacement for Tshepo Motsoeneng.
Motsoeneng, who has guided the Mdantsane-based third-tier league outfit to two league title victories, back-to-back, has been spotted in Komani conducting training sessions with Amavarara after he left Mdantsane last season, and his former team is busy preparing to play City, also known as Citizens, at the Gompo Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Tornado’s assistant coach, Vuyisani Mangaliso, has also since left the club and team manager, Simphiwe Magongo, has since assumed the coaching duties at the club.
Magongo told the Daily Dispatch the Nyobo family, who run the club, were still trying to decide who was fit enough to fill Motsoeneng’s shoes.
“I’m currently looking after the team as caretaker coach, because the family is still trying to get a new coach to mentor the guys following the departure of coach [Motsoeneng],” said Magongo.
“There are a few names in front of the family for considerations, but they have not made any deliberations as yet.”
Magongo said they expected to have a new mentor soon, but for now he was ready for the challenge before him.
“We’ve been working hard as a team, and I’m chuffed to help out the team in these times.
“The guys have shown me respect they shown previous coaches and I’m thankful of that, because we’ve been quite productive during training sessions.
“And I know they will be able to do well against Birmingham City.
“We have experienced and new players, so we are looking forward to what they can do in the field of play because all of them are tried and tested,” said Magongo.
On the other hand, City chairperson Vusi Khumalo went on record this week and expressed how confident they were of pulling an upset against the defending champions.
This as he recently signed three new quality players who have a lot of experience in the third-tier league division – midfielder Manelisi Myoli, Sinoxolo Mazaleni and Asiphile Rola.
Other fixtures: Amavarara v Yaka United (Dumpy Adams, Komani), Bisho Stars v Swartkops Valley United Brothers (Ginsberg Sports Fields), Bizana Pondo Chiefs v Spear of the Nation (Mount Ayliff Stadium), Bush Bucks Academy v Sibanye (Jan Smuts Stadium), Bush Pirates v Peace Makers (NU2 Stadium, Motherwell), Highbury v PE Stars (NMU South Campus, Summerstrand), Matta Milan v Mthatha Bucks (Dutywa Stadium).