Times Of Swaziland: CHAMINUKA SKATING ON THIN ICE

CHAMINUKA SKATING ON THIN ICE
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  BY ASHMOND NZIMA  on 19/03/2019 07:37:00


MBABANE – Are Mbabane Highlanders coach Saul Chaminuka’s days numbered at
the team? The Zimbabwe-born gaffer is reportedly under pressure to quit
following Sunday’s disastrous outing in the Ingwenyama Cup final. The black
and white ensemble lost 1-4 to a clinical Young Buffaloes in the decider of
Eswatini’s richest knockout tournament at Somhlolo National Stadium.
According to impeccable sources, the coach was under pressure to resign after a
meeting yesterday following a failed bid to achieve his mandate. He had
reportedly been ordered to win at least one knockout tournament (EswatiniBank
Cup or Ingwenyama Cup) and the league, but the dream is up in smoke as only the
Holy Grail of domestic football is now up for grabs. Highlanders are six points
shy of the top spot. Six games are left before the curtain falls on the league.
pressure
“He was under immense pressure to resign yesterday, but he decided to hang on
for reasons best known to him,” alleged an impeccable source.
Asked if he had been pressured to resign and if he would remain on board after
the major setback, Chaminuka was straight to the point and he was very careful
in his choice of words. “We are in talks.  There is nothing to share with the
outside world yet,” he said.
Highlanders CEO Thulani Khumalo could only confirm that the coach was met by
management early yesterday as part of the ‘post-mortem’ of Sunday’s
festivities, as the general feeling was that the team did not perform according
to expectations. He said there were no the decisions taken regarding the future
of the former Zimbabwe national team assistant coach. “There is no
resignation, as talks between the parties are still ongoing. We needed to meet
after the shocking result to discuss a way forward. We will see where the talks
lead us,” he said.
contract
The coach’s contract is said to be running until the end of the season late in
May.  He joined the team about six months ago, taking over from South
Africa-born mentor Mlungisi ‘Professor’ Ngubane, who left Highlanders after
the 1-3 loss to rivals Mbabane Swallows in the league opener.