Immediate-past Mighty Mukuru Wanderers coach Meck Mwase says he is not bitter with the club’s decision to terminate his contract.
The Nomads announced the termination of the contract on Thursday, attributing it to the coach’s absence from his duties since November 4 after their Airtel Top 8 semi-final loss to Silver Strikers, “without notifying the club or obtaining approval”.
But in an interview yesterday morning, the former Flames gaffer, sounding free and easy, said: “I take it as it is and I’m not bitter at all.”
However, he could not be drawn to comment on why he stopped reporting for duties, saying: “Let’s leave it as it is.”
On his plans for the future, Mwase said: “I leave that in the hands of God.”
A source confided in our sister newspaper The Nation earlier in the week that when the club sent one of its directors to check on the coach, Mwase reportedly said he felt some of his technical panel members were sabotaging him.
The Lali Lubani Road outfit’s chief executive officer (CEO) Panganeni Ndovi said despite Mwase and his Burundian predecessor Nsanzurwimo Ramadhan leaving without meeting the target of winning the TNM Super League title and, atleast one or two trophies, they believe they can still salvage something from the season.
He said: “Both coaches were and are good and left on different circumstances.
“Ramadhan left when there were four competitions to fight for and Meck has left with the season yet to wind up and Wanderers playing in two competitions.
“I am sure we can still salvage something this season as we are still in contention in two competitions.”
On how soon they plan to get a new coach on board, Ndovi said: “A decision to recruit will be made in due course, but currently Bob [Mpinganjira] is taking us through.”
The Nomads are second in the TNM Super League with 50 points from 25 matches, four behind leaders Silver Strikers, who have a game in hand. Wanderers are also in the Round of 16 in the Castel Challenge Cup.
On his part, Wanderers board secretary Chancy Gondwe said as a board, they have not yet met to analyse the overall performance of both Mwase and Ramadhan.
“That is usually done at the end of the season or, if it is necessitated, we are prompted to do that while the season is on, but we have not,” he said.
Commenting on the departure of the two immediate-past coaches within the season, Gondwe, who is also Mighty Wanderers 2021 Limited Company secretary, said: “Never at any time have you heard or read that Mighty Wanderers coach has been under pressure of being fired despite the team not giving results we hoped for.
“Both coaches left in similar circumstances and on their own accord. They should be the best to analyse themselves. Maybe you can also know in which areas they found themselves wanting to the extent of leaving without being fired.
“As a board, we would prefer to do our stocktaking at a time that is necessary whether today, tomorrow or any other day that we see best in the interest of the club.”
Mwase has become the third coach to depart Lali Lubani Road in less than 10 months.
Under his tutelage, the Nomads won 14 games, lost six and drew two, representing a 63.3 percent winning rate.
