The Sunday News
WHILE mystery surrounds the hiring of a coach at Highlanders Football Club, behind the scenes the club has reportedly settled for Bongani Mafu with former Chicken Inn head coach, Mandla “Lulu” Mpofu coming in as his assistant.
Impeccable sources said the Highlanders’ executive had to settle for Mafu following pressure from the club’s Board led by businessman Mgcini Nkolomi. Although the Board felt Mafu was the better option, the executive, given the leeway could have settled for Scottish Desmond Bulpin.
Mafu, a holder of a Uefa B coaching badge, is expected to be unveiled this week as Kelvin Kaindu’s replacement.
The sources revealed the executive was eager to enlist Mpofu’s services as assistant coach, but they will have to convince the Board that reportedly prefers either former club captain Dazzy Kapenya or ZPC Kariba manager Patson Ndabambi.
However, Highlanders’ chairman Peter Dube yesterday said they had not yet finalised the process of selecting the coach and would only do so in the next coming two days, adding that they still had to deal with a shortlist of three coaches and would only reveal their choice by Tuesday.
“We have not finalised the process of selecting the coach and we still have a shortlist of three people. I am sure had it not been the fact that Monday is a holiday we would have completed the process by then, I am certain though that by Tuesday we would be through,” said Dube, adding that they would first appoint the head coach and then consult him on the hiring of his assistants.
Dube said although the executive was mandated by the Highlanders’ constitution to hire assistant coaches, they will engage the head coach on the matter.
“The appointment of assistant coaches is the prerogative of the executive as stipulated by the constitution but we are going to consult the head coach as we seek his helpers,” he said.
Sources at the club, however, said there was disquiet within the club, following the Board’s “meddling” role that has seen it usurping the role of the executive in selecting the coach.
“The executive usually takes the flak when a coach is doing badly from members and supporters as they are known to be the ones responsible for his selection. If members are not happy with the decision that has been made by the executive they are voted out,” said a source.
“Now with the board selecting the coach, the question is will they also be blamed for a poor job or will the executive take the blame on their behalf. The Board’s role is simply to advise and not oppose a decision made by the executive,” revealed the source.
After reaching a decision to hire Bulpin, the executive is reported to have interviewed him on Skype, after which they agreed in principle to bring in the Scot into the country and he was scheduled to be presented tomorrow (Monday) as the club’s head coach but the board overrode their decision.
Another source said Bulpin seemed a better option as he was better placed to create opportunities for the club to twin with clubs in that country.
“He has a lot of links that would have seen the club structures, from juniors once again going to England for tournaments.
“Bulpin had also agreed to source lots of equipment that would have assisted the club a lot. He was likely to present links to the club enabling to easily sell players,” said the source.
While Mafu has managed to attain several coaching badges in Europe including the Uefa B coaching licence his lack of coaching experience would prove disastrous at a club where expectations are high for a better season.
“We do not know why the board opted for Mafu because he doesn’t have Highlanders roots and his last prominent coaching job was with Saints more than a decade ago. He has been coaching at schools in the UK and such experience for a club like Highlanders might not be enough.
“People were looking forward to an experienced coach to end the Bosso league drought,” said a life member at the club, who requested anonymity.
