Axe falls on NRB coaches

AFTER a disappointing anticlimax to what has been a great season, Richards Bay FC Chairman Jomo Biyela has fired his three senior coaching staff members, including head coach Simo Dladla.

‘We were right on track for automatic PSL promotion until the last three games, when we only managed to get one point out of a possible nine,’ Biyela told the ZO during Tuesday’s practice session ahead of a critical Sunday home fixture against Steenberg United.

‘It became very apparent that the team was no longer responding to the coaching strategies and tactics, so the decision was made before the final game on Sunday.’

Indeed, NRB have only lost seven times this season, but five of these have been in the final stages of the campaign.

Between 13 April and 9 May they won two, drew two and lost four, notching up just eight out of a possible 24 points.

It matters little that Richards Bay dominated those games and player errors at the back, combined with failure to put away clear chances up front, led to the slump. It’s always the coaches who must accept the responsibility for failure.

Sacked with Dladla are his assistant coaches, Siyabonga Mdluli and Sibusiso Nkosi. Once considered a formidable technical team, they must now join the queue of job seekers.

Still in the mix are goalkeeper coach Vusumuzi Magagula and physical trainer Nkosinathi Mthembu, while Sibusiso Msomi will stand in as caretaker coach on Sunday.

However, Biyela said there would be very few player retrenchments come the end of the season, ‘maybe three or four at the most’.

Mixed emotions

Dladla missed Tuesday’s practice session as he was at his wife’s side for the birth and blessing of their fifth child.

Despite the contrasting outcomes on the day, Dladla said he bore no ill will and was proud of the strides he had made with the club.

‘When I came in we were in 14th position and we spent 10 weeks on top of the log. We are now just one goal away from the promotion play-offs.

‘I gained valuable experience and my aim is to join a PSL outfit, perhaps as an assistant coach.’

* Open your PixzAR app and scan this story to watch an interview with Richards Bay FC Chairman, Jomo Biyela