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Thulani Sibanda

Ricky Zililo, Senior Sports Reporter
CHICKEN Inn assistant coach Thulani Sibanda could be on his way back to Southern Region Soccer League championship hopefuls Bulawayo Chiefs, after he resigned at the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League champions yesterday.

Sibanda who joined Chicken Inn in May after being recommended by head coach Rahman Gumbo said failure to attain the club’s target has made him quit.

The Zifa Southern Region Division One Soccer League championship winning coach with Quelaton and Chiefs was given the same targets as Gumbo, that is to collect 20 points from 10 games but they amassed 15 points.

Sibanda’s resignation might pile pressure on Gumbo.

In his letter addressed to Chicken Inn’s secretary-general Tavengwa Hara, Sibanda said: “In recognition to section 1.1 Terms of my contract, read with section 5, Probation period, I do hereby voluntarily step down from my position with effect from 10/08/16. My contract stipulated that the performance of the team, it falls short of these expectations. I would like to say I enjoyed my stay at this club and learnt quite a lot, I wish the club great success in future.”

Chicken Inn’s chairman Lifa Ncube confirmed receipt of Sibanda’s resignation letter which came as a shock as the club had publicly declared that they are rallying behind the Gumbo-led technical team despite their failure to meet the target.

“We’ve accepted the assistant coach’s (Sibanda) resignation which he tendered this morning,” said Ncube.

Sibanda’s last match as part of Chicken Inn’s technical team was their 0-0 home draw against Chapungu which led to the club’s executive — chairman Lifa Ncube, treasurer Mlungisi Moyo and vice-chairman Juta Tshuma — holding a “crisis meeting” at their head office in Bulawayo.

The meeting didn’t last long as Gumbo had indicated that he wanted to travel to Botswana to attend church business.

With Sibanda out, Gumbo will face Sunday’s PSL clash with Highlanders hard-pressed for a victory as a defeat could mark the end of his era as Chicken Inn’s coach.

Chicken Inn, on position 10 with 23 points beat Highlanders 2-0 in the first leg and the Sunday clash won’t be a stroll in the park as Bosso also need a win following three consecutive defeats.

Fixtures
Tomorrow: Ngezi Platinum Stars v How Mine (Baobab), Harare City v Border Strikers (Rufaro), Tsholotsho FC v Triangle United (Luveve), Chapungu v ZPC Kariba (Ascot), FC Platinum v Mutare City Rovers (Mandava)

Sunday: Dynamos v Bulawayo City (Rufaro), Highlanders v Chicken Inn (Barbourfields), Hwange v Caps United (Colliery).

@ZililoR