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EXIT TEXAN, ENTER ‘STUMBO’

06/03/2014 05:31:00 BY BHEKISISA MAGONGO

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MBABANE – Well-travelled Zambian-born coach Texan Phiri has been shown the exit door at Young Buffaloes.

Former Manzini Sundowns coach, Rodney ‘Stumbo’ Charles is set to take over the coaching reins at the army side.
The Zambian born mentor was told that he would not be offered a long term contract after the expiry of his three months probation that was viewed as unsuccessful by the club. In a letter given to the coach yesterday morning, the team said that they could not engage him further citing poor results.

The club PRO Sandile Gwebu confirmed the matter and further announced that they have since roped in former Manzini Sundowns mentor Rodney ‘Stumbo’ Charles who will work with Mandla Dlamini who has served as assistant coach to Thabo ‘Koki’ Vilakati and Phiri.

“The coach was on probation and the club decided not to offer him a contract. They were not happy with the results. We have then appointed Rodney Charles to take over and he will be assisted by Mandla Dlamini. They will be in charge until the end of the season,” Gwebu said.
Phiri also confirmed that his probation was not successful and the club opted to release him.

“I cannot complain because such things happen in any employment. I was told that the results were not good hence I could not continue drilling the team. It is not like I am fired but they did not offer me a contract after the probation,” Phiri said.

He said he was now free to coach any club in the country.
However, the former Manzini Sundowns mentor could only confirm that he was approached by the army side to assist Mandla Dlamini, but said he was yet to decide on the offer.

“I spoke to Buffaloes today (yesterday) where they asked me to assist their new coach but I couldn’t make the decision as I am still attached to Manzini Sundowns as Technical Director. I am going to speak to Sundowns Chairman Mark Carmichael, and hopefully I will be in a position to respond tomorrow (today),” Charles said.

Phiri replaced Koki who was relieved of his duties in November last year following a fallout with the Management Committee during the semi-finals of the Castle Premier Challenge Cup against Mbabane Swallows which they lost 2-3.

The club has amassed 28 points in the MTN League log table with six games to go and they are five behind leaders Royal Leopard at 33 points.