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’DOWNS SACK TEMBO

17/09/2014 08:44:00 BY DUMISANI NTIWANE

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MBABANE – Manzini Sundowns have sacked Zambian coach Chris ‘Gazza’ Tembo with immediate effect after four games at the helm.

The former Mbabane Swallows Zambian mentor was informed of the decision by the team’s boss Mark Carmichael yesterday afternoon.

Sundowns were not expected to train yesterday following their MTN Premier League game against police ensemble Royal Leopard at Somhlolo National Stadium on Monday evening. Sundowns lost the game 0-1 and even missed a penalty through Nigerian defender Jimoh Moses with about half an hour played.

Carmichael, according to sources close to the matter, felt that the team was underperforming under the Zambian mentor. Newly-appointed assistant coach Musa Mamba will hold the fort while the search for a new coach starts in earnest.

“The team was not impressed with the results since he took over. The truth is that Tembo came here highly recommended and we were expecting a better showing. In fact the team has set very high standards but it was unfortunate that the results we were expecting could not come his way,” an impeccable source said.

Team boss, Carmichael could not be drawn to comment on the latest which is likely to be met with shock by the football fraternity, as Tembo met the same fate after just a short stint with red and white glamour giants, Mbabane Swallows.

When sought for a comment, the Zambian strategist, who will be remembered for masterminding the unforgettable and historic Mbabane Swallows 2-0 win over Nkana FC in last season’s CAF Champions League clash at Somhlolo National Stadium, politely asked not to comment on the matter.

“I can only confirm that we have parted ways with Sundowns. The team would be the right people to comment,” was all he was prepared to say.

Tembo is expected to leave the country either today or tomorrow to return home in Zambia. He arrived in the country to take charge at Sundowns a few days before the annual season’s opener, the Swazi Telecom Charity Cup Spectacular.

In his first official game in charge, he met his former side, Swallows and the Mbabane giants beat Sundowns 3-0 to boot the ‘Kappa Kappa’ ensemble out of the tournament in its preliminary stages.