Civo suspend Mkolongo
Civo United suspended coach Thom Mkolongo on Monday following some uninspiring results.
A 1-1 draw with Blue Eagles, that had Civo slip to position 12 with 20 points on the log table proved to be Mkolongo’s last straw, Civo general secretary Rashid Ntelela confirmed yesterday.
“We have put him on an indefinite suspension as results have not been forthcoming. Looking at position 12, we felt it was not on for a team of Civo calibre. Our fear is that if we can slide down to 13 or 14, then we will be playing under pressure,” Ntelela explained.
Put to him that no domestic coach has ever been recalled from indefinite suspension, Ntelela said: “In civil service, you cannot just release someone. There are procedures. This is what we have done.”
In the event that he loses his job, Mkolongo will be the third TNM Super League coach to be shown the exit this season after Felix Fosiko and Frank Ndawa from Wanderers and Silver Strikes respectively.
The Lilongwe sleeping giants have since recalled ex-assistant coach Oscar Kaunda to head the caretaker coaching panel that includes Beggie Mwangomba as interim assistant coach.
Ntelela admitted that while Civo trusted their system of getting raw players and turning them into stars they gave the coach a freehand to bring whoever he wanted.
Mkolongo yesterday said he was yet to get his suspension letter, hence might not comment much.
“I felt the team was catching up, so their decision is surprising, but anyway since it is a collective decision, let us wait and see,” said Mkolongo who Silver Strikers also fired last season before he moved to Civo to replace Alex Masanjala.
Civo senior player Charles Beni observed that while they are playing eye-catching football, scoring is a challenge.
“Sometimes this happens when luck has deserted you. One thing is certain though that while scoring is for every player, we do not have enough natural scorers. As for the coach’s issue, that is for the executive committee,” said Beni.
