Home | Sports | ‘KOKI’ HAD A VERBAL CONTRACT WITH BUFFALOES!

‘KOKI’ HAD A VERBAL CONTRACT WITH BUFFALOES!

19/10/2013 05:35:00 BY NTUTHUKO DLAMINI

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MBABANE – Former Young Buffaloes head coach Thabo ‘Koki’ Vilakati had been working for the army side on a verbal contract.

A source close to both parties disclosed that the coach who was fired on Tuesday for walking away from the technical bench during the army side’s Castle Premier Challenge Cup semi-final game against Mbabane Swallows had no written contract with the team. Swallows won the game 3 – 2 to advance to the final of the tournament where they will face Malanti Chiefs tomorrow at Somhlolo National Stadium.

However, it is alleged that the team and the coach had a verbal agreement over a two-year contract which the coach was still going to sign. ‘Koki’ joined Buffaloes last season on a one-year contract, replacing the late Zambian coach Francis ‘Mkhulu’ Banda.

“At the beginning of the season the coach was verbally offered a two-year contract after he had proposed for a three-year contract. It was on those grounds that the team took the decision to easily fire the coach for misconduct,” a source said.

Buffaloes PRO Sandile Gwebu asked not to comment on the matter as the coach had hinted taking a legal route against the team. “I don’t want to say anything at the moment about this matter because of its sensitivity,” Gwebu said. TZD Sports Management Director Zakhele Dlamini said he was not in a position to discuss the matter as they were still to engage Buffaloes.

“I am hoping to meet Young Buffaloes anytime next week to discuss this matter. So, I cannot say much pending our meeting with them,” he said. Buffaloes have also suspended the duo of assistant coach Dominic Kunene and goalkeeper Nhlanhla Gwebu.