Nearly half of Supa Diski coaches fired
JOHANNEBURG. - Following Kaitano Tembo and John Maduka’s respective sackings at Sekhukhune United and Maritzburg United this week, half of the DStv Premiership have now made changes to their coaching staff this season.
On Tuesday, Kaitano Tembo’s brief reign as head coach of Sekhukhune United was brought to an end after the relegation-threatened club confirmed that it had parted ways with the former SuperSport United tactician.
Tembo’s sacking was followed on Thursday by news from bottom-of-the log Maritzburg United that John Maduka had similarly been relieved of his duties, taking the total number of managerial changes across the league to eight this season.
Reigning DStv Premiership champions Mamelodi Sundowns made headlines last month after announcing that one half of last season’s treble winning co-coaching duo, Manqoba Mngqithi, had been demoted to the role of senior coach.
The decision came in the immediate aftermath of Sundowns’ humiliating 3-0 MTN8 semi-final defeat to Orlando Pirates and saw Rulani Mokwena assume sole responsibility of the head coach role, with Steve Komphela promoted to first-team coach.
Chippa United’s revolving doors policy claimed its latest casualty earlier this year after Daine Klate, who had been appointed to his first senior coaching role at the start of the season to replace Kurt Lentjies, was shown his marching order by owner Siviwe ‘Chippa’ Mpengesi.
At the time of Klate’s sacking, the Chilli Boys were languishing at the foot of the table and the PSL legend was quickly replaced by Morgan Mammila, who has since turned the club’s fortunes around.
Highly-rated French coach Romain Folz parted ways with Marumo Gallants after just five matches in charge and without a win to his name amid allegations of interference from the club’s management.
Folz was not without work for long, however, as he was soon appointed to replace the sacked Brandon Truter at AmaZulu and he has since guided the club to the MTN8 final where they will meet Orlando Pirates this weekend.