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Ricky Zililo, Senior Sports Reporter

SERBIAN national Nikola Kavazovic is tipped to replace veteran multi-championship winning Zimbabwean coach Rahman Gumbo who was fired yesterday by Botswana Premiership side Sua Flamingoes.

The former Warriors coach, who has won championships in Zimbabwe, Malawi and Botswana, joined Sua Flamingoes on a two-year deal in April last year, replacing David Bright who died in January 2021 was fired following a string of poor results.

Last weekend’s 3-2 defeat to Eleven Angels, which condemned them to position 15, second from the bottom of the table with just three points was the final straw for Gumbo.

Gumbo leaves Sua Flamingoes who are in their second season in the Botswana Premiership with just three points picked up on matchday three when they edged Morupole Wanderers 1-0. They are 13 points adrift of joint leaders Gaborone United and Jwaneng Galaxy.

Gumbo who led Sua Flamingoes to a mid-table finish in their debut topflight season, ending on position seven with 47 points failed to replicate the 2021/22 form. Sua Flamingoes managed 12 wins, 11 draws and seven defeats in their debut season.

Adding that to the six 2022/23 season games, Gumbo presided over a total of 36 league matches, amassing under 50 percent of points as he managed 50 points from a possible 108.

The ambitious Gaborone-based club couldn’t fathom being on position 15 with just three points from a possible 18, which has left them trailing joint leaders Gaborone United and Jwaneng Galaxy by 13 points and relieved Gumbo of his responsibilities.

“Sua Flamingoes FC informs its valued supporters, stakeholders, the media and the entire football fraternity that it has amicably parted ways with its Head Coach Mr Rahman Allen Gumbo with immediate effect.

Kavazovic

“The team takes this opportunity to thank Coach Gumbo who immensely contributed to the growth of the team, leading them to a top eight finish in our maiden season in the elite league,” reads the club’s statement.

Kopane Phakedi has been appointed to the position of interim coach.

Media reports from Botswana say former Township Rollers coach Kavazovic is the favourite for the Sua Flamingoes job, with indications that the club had been in talks with the Serbian gaffer who is expected to land in Botswana tomorrow.

Meanwhile, Sua Flamingoes advertised for the head coach’s job, with the requirements for the hot seat being a holder of a Caf A license badge or an equivalent who has Premiership or national team experience.

Kavazovic’s online profile indicates that he has Premiership experience having previously coached former Botswana champions Township Rollers and Kenya’s AFC Leopards.

Sua Flamingoes have four Zimbabwean players on their books, Mcebisi Moyo, Dominic Chungwa, Cleopas Dube and Tendayi Nyumasi. — @ZililoR