Why Chunga quit Gunners

Chunga affectionately known by his fans as Bambo three weeks ago left Gunners for rival Harare-based side Shooting Stars, a shock move that has divided opinion within soccer circles.Bambo who led Gunners to their maiden league title last year after only two years in the topflight league has not come out publicly to say the reasons behind his decision to part ways with Gunners saying he would do so at the appropriate time.

He told journalists that there were a lot of issues which led him to throw in the towel ahead of the Gunners’ maiden campaign in the African Champions League but declined to disclose further details. Bambos former assistant at Gunners Darlington Dodo has remained with the club and in charge of preparations for the upcoming season.

A number of theories have been put forward regarding Chungas decision to quit the team he lead to the ultimate prize in domestic football with some suggesting that he did not have the pre-requisite coaching qualifications he would need in order to handle international matches like the Africa Champions League.

According to this theory Chunga left Gunners so he could a join a new club not playing in the African league. Chunga does not have coaching qualifications required for Premier League coaches and at one time faced disqualification from coaching by the Zimbabwe Soccer Coaches Association.

But he was given the green light by ZIFA who said the former Warriors captain was capable of coaching in the top division given his outstanding achievements and experience gained as a player at the highest level of the game both the domestic front and internationally. Chunga who holds an attendance certificate in coaching has publicly refused to go for coaching clinics arguing that he could not be taught basic skills like ball control and passing when he played at the highest level.

However, a source close to Chunga revealed this week that Chunga fell out with Gunners president Cuthbert Chitima after he failed to match the coachs salary demands. The source said Chunga was earning a monthly salary of US$1,200 last year which he had wanted upped to US$2000,00 per month after leading Gunners to The Promised Land.

“The issue was all about the salary that he was demanding. He wanted to be paid US$2000,00 and the team management felt it was too much so he left, said pour source. The talks about him not having the necessary qualifications to coach in Africa are not true. If he was given that salary he was still going ahead leading Gunners in Africa because even if he was not allowed to handle those international matches he would train the team and on match day his assistant would take over. It will be him who will be coaching,” added the source.

Gunners president Chitima declined to comment on the matter. “That is history. Let us talk about the future we have a very important fixture in two weeks time and Dodo is in charge. We have confidence in him,” he said. Gunners are set to play Mafunzo FC of Zanzibar in their first ever African Champions League match.