Coach: I am no longer involved
D’Avray confirms he will not be on Chippa bench
MPITSO Mosimane has two missions at the close of the 2014-15 season – to win a trophy and ensure Mamelodi Sundowns qualify to play in continental competition in their next campaign.
Sundowns reversed an Absa Premiership run of four games without a win to beat Platinum
‘ Chairman is the only person who is able to shed more light
ICH D’Avray confirmed yesterday he would not be on the bench for Chippa United’s two remaining games.
While Chippa’s management remained secretive about whether or not the caretaker coach had been sacked at the weekend, D’Avray said he was no longer involved with the team.
He stopped short of confirming he had indeed been fired.
“I won’t be on the bench for Wednesday night’s game. That I can tell you. I doubt I’ll even be on the bench for Saturday’s game against Kaizer Chiefs,” D’Avray said.
“Right now as we speak, I am no longer involved with the team.”
The former Bloemfontein Celtic development coach said he could not comment further on the situation and directed inquiries to club chairman Siviwe “Chippa” Mpengesi.
“He is the only person who is able to shed more light.”
This followed two club officials, who did not want to be named, having said Mpengesi had axed the entire technical team shortly after losing 2-0 to Free State Stars at Goble Park, Bethlehem, on Saturday.
The loss has placed more pres- sure on the Chilli Boys as they have slid further into the PSL relegation zone. D’Avray’s axing could not have come at a more inopportune time as Chippa face the two biggest games of their Absa Premier League season.
Chippa are 14th on the log with 29 points from 28 games and they desperately need a win from their last two games against Mpumalanga Black Aces and Kaizer Chiefs to remain in the PSL.
D’Avray was appointed as the technical director last September and triggered the resignation of Kosta Papic, whose place was taken by Roger Sikhakhane, who was eventually fired.
Sikhakhane was replaced by German Ernst Middendorp, who was suspended last month.
That makes D’Avray Chippa’s fourth coach this season and the third to be sacked. Over a period of three years, Mpengesi has changed coaches 12 times.
After his appointment, D’Avray said he was confident of saving the club from relegation but added that it needed to be a joint effort between management, the players and the technical team.
Under D’Avray, the club banked only four points from a possible 12.
Chippa next face Aces at the Mbombela Stadium tomorrow night.
Chippa’s list of coaches over the years is: Manqoba Mngqithi (July 9, 2012 - Aug 20, 2012); Julius Dube (Aug 23, 2012 2012); Roger Sikhakhane (Sept 13, 2012 - Oct 28, 2012); Farouk Abrahams (Oct 28, 2012 - Jan 29, 2013); Wilfred Mugeyi (Jan 29, 2013 - April 11, 2013); Mark Harrison (April 12, 2013 - Oct 7, 2013); Ian Palmer (Oct 8, 2013 - Jan 27, 2014); Vladislav Heric (Jan 29, 2014 - June 30, 2014); Kosta Papic (July 1, 2014 - Sept 3, 2014); Roger Sikhakhane (Sept 4, 2014 -Jan 5 2015); Ernst Middendorp (Jan 5 2015 - Mar 30 2015); Mich D’Avray (Mar 30 - May 2).
- Sept 12,