Pressure mounts on winless Civo coach
Newly-appointed Civo United caretaker coach Charles Manda has admitted he is under pressure to start winning matches having failed to register any victory since taking over at the start of the second round.
The club’s executive committee has expressed displeasure with the poor trend, but has rallied behind the coach, saying he needs time to adapt.
Civo were held to a one-all draw by Red Lions on Saturday. Last week, the civil servants also drew 0-0 with Epac FC. That result came after they lost 1-0 to struggling PremierBet Wizards. Civo are now on position 11 with 18 points from 18 games.
Said Manda: “It is disappointing that we haven’t won a game and I am under self-pressure to ensure that the team starts winning.”
The former Escom United and Be Forward Wanderers mentor attributed the poor results to lack of coordination and battered confidence among the players following the first round disappointing form.
“I am a new coach and I have my own style which players must adapt to. I am hopeful that once we have worked thoroughly on coordination we will start winning,” he said.
Manda, who took over from axed Milias Pofera Jegwe following unsatisfactory results, was initially recruited as technical director towards the end of the first round.
Commenting on Manda’s infant reign, Civo general secretary Thomas Makiwa admitted that affairs on the pitch have not changed despite the coaching changes.
“The results are not coming as we expected. However, I think it is too early to expect much from the new coach. He needs four or five games before stamping his mark,” he said.
On the coach’s future, Makiwa said they are hoping to engage a permanent coach at the end of the season. n
