MALUME BLOW FOR WESLIANS!

MBABANE – Just when Manzini Wanderers loyalists were celebrating the return of their most successful manager Simeon ‘Malume’ Khumalo, the latter has burst their bubble.

Khumalo, who was the last manager to win a trophy (Telecom Charity Cup) with Wanderers back in 2005, had been named in the new-look Wanderers Management Committee (MC), which was released to the media two days ago.

He had been named manager again, but he told this publication yesterday that he would not be able to perform the duties for the club he said he managed to win several trophies between the 90s until 2005.

“I’m busy with my academy in Matsapha, which is an equally bigger project. It can suffer if I leave for the senior team. These are assignments which demand my full attention and cannot be performed simultaneously.

“Wanderers had invited me to the meeting at The George Hotel in Manzini, where they announced the Management Committee, but I could not make it.  Even if I attended the meeting, I would have only provided expert advice,” he said.

‘Malume’ said he remembered being consulted on the role and being asked to suggest people capable to fill up the position, but he never thought that they would eventually appoint him into the post.

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‘Malume’, who had been part of the Wanderers side that swept the boards in the late 90s and early 2000s said his ‘worst fears’ were confirmed when he saw his name splashed in yesterday’s newspapers and felt he needed to clear the air because he was inundated with phone calls by people who celebrated his return as his success was undoubted as Wanderers manager back in the day.

“I will only be available to offer expert advice whenever necessary, not a managerial or administrative role.
“As this stage, I’m working with 32 juniors who are aged 11 years in my academy. I have the same number of boys and girls. This is the only structure in the country giving girls an opportunity to play soccer at such a young age,” he said.

‘Malume’ has an academy styled SMK and produces players, who sometimes join the development teams of the country’s elite league teams.
Wanderers General Manager Pat Mahlalela said his office learnt about Khumalo’s challenge to come on board permanently yesterday, but allayed fears the latter would be completely out of the picture.  He said Khumalo would now perform the managerial role as a consultant pending the recruitment of a permanent manager.

“As someone with an academy, we need Khumalo’s expertise in our bid to have a well-defined development structure,” said Mahlalela.
Meanwhile, a team manager works hand in hand with the coach and is usually the person on the ground who quickly attends to the affairs of the team. In professional leagues, the coach doubles as a manager.

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