Mqondisi Dube
28 November 2008
Selebi-Phikwe — Nico United have denied reports that coach Madinda Ndlovu resigned on Tuesday.
Nico spokesperson, Matlhale Malepa who was in Gaborone this week said the coach attended training as usual on Wednesday - a day after his reported resignation. "It is nothing but rumours. I even phoned the chairman (Kitso Nkoborwane) who said it was just rumours," Malepa said.
However, Mmegi Sport can confirm that the Zimbabwean coach will part ways with the Selebi-Phikwe based side at the end of December. Ndlovu is said to have dropped a bombshell after Tuesday's training when he delivered his resignation letter to Nico secretary general, Daniel Chedzani. Ndlovu did not comment on the issue and referred all questions to Chedzani.
An inside source said the departure has long been coming. "I saw this coming. There were a lot of issues which were not being addressed and the coach was fed up," the source said. He added that although officials pretended that everything is normal, there were several contentious issues.
A Nico official expressed shock at the latest development, as Ndlovu had just renewed his contract. "It took us by surprise really. Things are bad. We never expected this. The coach was being paid well and we suspect he got a better offer elsewhere," the official said.
Reports say all was not well at Majombolo where players struggled to get their dues. "In fact the coach was patient for a long time. As members, we have tried to bring some of the issues to the attention of the committee to no avail," the source said.
He added that the coach wanted to get new players but the officials did not give him any. Nico managed to retain the bulk of the squad from last season, though it lost its best player, Letsweletse 'Ace' Seane to Santos and Tony Selala to ECCO City Greens.
The goalkeeping department is thin with Chrispen Nyamutambo, the only recognised hand. Another goalkeeper, Murambiwa Ndlovu has reportedly gone AWOL and reportedly wants out.
"The situation is not as rosy as people are made to believe. This is just the tip of the iceberg. We hope the executive arrests the situation before it gets out of hand," the source said. Majombolo won a lot of admirers last season with their brilliant displays which took them from the relegation zone to a fourth spot finish. This was Nico's best ever finish in the Premier League and Ndlovu was largely credited for the resurgence and was among the nominees for the coach of the year award.
He was expected to continue from where he left and had a bright start to the season, holding TAFIC away, beating Boteti Young Fighters at home before narrowly losing 0-1 to Extension Gunners.
But despite the performance, Ndlovu made it clear that the team has not prepared well for the season.
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