After a week of denial, Leopards Marketing Director, Tshifhiwa Thidiela, opened up in a statement released to the media Friday. “Abel and Sunday’s contracts with the team have come to an end and Leopards have seen the need for change. So we have decided to part ways with the two coaches,” he said.
Thidiela said they have parted ways with the former Zimbabwe Warriors coach after a ‘horror’ run for the club that saw Leopards managing only five wins in their 30 games of the season.
They drew eight of the games and lost the rest. Added the statement: “The duo were unable to save the team from relegation and what has been a threat has become reality for Leopards who will now prepare for an National First Division league next season.”
Dhidiela said they would announce their new technical setup in due course.
Chidzambwa joined Leopards after leaving Free State Stars in 2010 leading the team to the final of the Nedbank Cup in his first year in charge.
He won them promotion at the end of the 2011 season and coached the team in the Absa Premiership in the just ended season until the latest developments.
Chidzambwa was coach of Leopards until October last year when he was removed from the position to pave way for Ian Palmer who took charge of the club’s seven matches following Chidzambwa’s involvement in the Asiagate scandal.
Palmer then left just before Christmas for Makhubele to take the coaching post. Although he was technical director, Chidzambwa shared power with Makhubele, hence the decision to sake both of them.
Before joining Free State Stars, Chidzambwa was initially supposed to have joined Umtata Bush Bucks but lost his passport a few days before the signing ceremony.
Chidzambwa, though, has the option to return to his former club, Dynamos, as he is a member of the board of directors.
Post published in: Football