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Botswana: Santos Kick Out Phiri
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Mmegi/The Reporter (Gaborone)
27 March 2008
Posted to the web 28 March 2008
Tshepo Molwane
Gaborone
Second-placed Uniao Flamengo Santos dropped a bombshell this week when they fired their Zambian coach, Raphael Phiri. Former Jwaneng Comets' coach, Boyo Radipotsane was expected to replace Phiri for the remaining eight league games.
Information reaching Mmegi Sport indicate that the management took a decision to fire the Zambian after a spate of poor results, which has seen Santos handing the title to Mochudi Centre Chiefs. Until recently, Santos have been the main challengers of Magosi in the title race.
But a series of defeats against Chiefs, ECCO City Greens and lightweights the likes of Boteti Young Fighters, amongst others, has ended the hopes of Santos.
Sources say that the 1-0 defeat to ECCO last Friday was the last straw for Phiri. It is alleged that the coach has lost the respect of players. Currently, Santos are sitting in second spot with 38 points from 22 games, 19 points behind Chiefs.
Yesterday, Phiri confirmed to Mmegi Sport that he has been booted out by Santos after nine months. "It was the losses to Chiefs, Boteti and ECCO that forced them to take the decision. I am leaving Santos with my head up because for a coach to mould a championship side, it takes three years. So for me to achieve this in nine months is an achievement," he told Mmegi Sport.
Though he did not want to divulge more information, Phiri hinted that soccer politics might be behind his fate. Inside sources at Santos say that a certain official and some senior players, contributed to Phiri's sacking. "There are a number of things which have led to our failure. Even the players were not performing to expectations," Phiri said. He disclosed that he is ready to move to another club with immediate effect. He said Chiefs are definitely going to win the title. "We have to be realistic. Chiefs meant business from the word go. There is nothing which can stop them from winning the championship. They have quality players even those who are not playing."
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Meanwhile, Santos continue their race for the runners-up berth when they take on BDF XI at the UB Stadium tomorrow night. Santos go into the game knowing that any slip-up, would give other sides like Boteti and Gaborone United (GU) the chance to topple them from second spot.
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| Copyright © 2008 Mmegi/The Reporter. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com). To contact the copyright holder directly for corrections -- or for permission to republish or make other authorized use of this material, click here. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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