Nomads bay for Madeira’s blood
Some Be Forward Wanderers supporters are demanding the removal of team manager Stevie Madeira, claiming he is bringing confusion in the team.
Secretary for the supporters committee Samuel Mponda confirmed, saying his committee has presented a petition to the executive committee for him to be removed.
But Madeira said he will soon make a statement on supporters’ claims.
The development comes barely a week after the team fired coach Bob Mpinganjira and his assistant Allan Kamanga and technical director Yasin Osman following a poor run of the team.
It followed a demand from Nomads supporters who demanded the removal of entire technical panel.
“Our demand was for the whole panel to be removed not only the coaches. He [Madeira] is also part of the technical panel and gets involved when making decisions. We wonder why they have left him?” said Mponda.
Mponda said on February 4 this year, the supporters committee met each player separately and what came out indicated that players were not happy with Madeira.
“They only mentioned him [Madeira] to be a thorn in the team. We were not happy with it and we recommended him to be booted out, but till now nothing has happened and instead we are firing coaches,” he.
Mponda said when he clashed with Joseph Kamwendo, it was only Kamwendo who was suspended.
“There was no punishment for him [Madeira] it seems the executive favours him,” he added.
Wanderers chairperson Gift Mkandawire confirmed to have received numerous calls from supporters about Madeira.
“However, no single person has come up with any tangible reason or has brought a case good enough to terminate Madeira’s duties. If someone brings up tangible evidence we will not hesitate to remove him,” said Mkandawire.
He added: “All what we get now are rumours without evidence of wrong doing. It’s possible that someone just hates him and create confusion in our camp and it will be unfair to act on issues that are personal. This is not a club for one person. We cannot act on hearsays.”
Mkandawire said supporters are forgetting the good part of Madeira.
He said: “Madeira has always been there for the team running around using his vehicle without charging the club. So people should also look at the positive side of it all. These positives are things we see and are not hearsay.”
He then advised supporters and players to take heart, saying the technical team that will be put in place will have it’s own backroom staff.
The team’s captain Alfred Manyozo Jnr refused to comment asking this reporter to talk to the executive.
In an interview, Madeira said he will make a statement.
“I have been with the team for about four years. I am not the kind of a person who leave office when things are not working.
“So there will be a proper time for me to respond and I will make it soon,” he said.
