Mochudi Centre Chiefs’ head coach, Madinda Ndlovu, has rubbished recent reports that he is under pressure and speculation that he could soon find himself jobless.
The speculation has come despite his side’s position at the summit of the be-MOBILE Premier League. Ahead of his side’s crunch clash with fourth-placed Gaborone United at UB Stadium this afternoon, Ndlovu will be out to prove to his critics that he is the right man for the Chiefs’ hot-seat. When he signed a two year contract with Magosi in July 2011, Ndlovu knew what he was doing. He was prepared to take the risk of leading the club which has the most difficult supporters in the land.
The Zimbabwean gaffer has played and coached under pressure in his homeland hence it was not difficult to accept the offer when Chiefs’ officials came knocking. Having achieved positive results since the beginning of the season, rumours about his future started and escalated like a house on fire after his side laboured to a 5-3 win over FC Satmos in the past weekend in Selebi-Phikwe. But his charges responded in a positive manner when they thrashed Extension Gunners 3-1 at the University Stadium on Wednesday night before a capacity crowd in a game which most commentators believe was a good advertisement of Botswana football.
With the way things are going, Chiefs are not far away from winning their second league title since their establishment in 1972. Ahead of this afternoon’s game with Gaborone United, Ndlovu did not appear like a man who is under immense pressure. He was his usual self, smiling and cracking jokes.
“I still fail to understand why people are saying I’m under pressure because my team is on top of the log. So far things have gone well for us because where we’re going is nearer than where we’re coming from. If we continue winning, we might win the title with four games remaining,” he said.
Chiefs have suffered one loss which came in their second league match against BDF XI and have drawn twice against Gaborone United and BDF XI (second round). He pointed out that at the start of the campaign, he sat down with his players to share their vision for the season. Ndlovu was satisfied when his players vowed that they will fight for the league honours. “When a coach comes into a new team, he ought to aim for honours, especially in a club like Chiefs where there is enough quality.
At the moment, we need to manage the current success and keep the players focused. The good thing is that the players here are mature and know what is expected from them,” he added. Chiefs’ spokesperson, Clifford Mogomotsi, was surprised to read in the media that they intend to fire the coach. He noted that they have a healthy relationship with their gaffer.
“He has been tasked with winning the main prize (league) then after that that’s when we can go for other titles available. We believe that Madinda is the right man to take this club forward and there’s no way we can dump him. Time and again, we sit down with the coach to discuss some of the things which are worrying us but that does not mean his job is on the line,” said Mogomotsi.
The spokesperson hinted that they are not going to remove their foot from accelerator.
