KAROI United have fired their entire technical team following a series of poor results in the Northern Region Soccer League.

Head coach Levison Salous and assistants Philip Hoyo and Steples Sibanda were shown the exit on Tuesday as the Karoi United executive feels the team is having limited speed in the NRSL championship race.

Salous had been Karoi United coach since the 2015 mid-season but it seems lukewarm performances this season have proven costly.

“Nothing much (to say). Just wish them good luck,” Salous told Sportszone.

This season, Karoi United have been different, unexciting and for that matter they are on 11th position with 16 points having won just three games and drawn seven times –the most draws so far in the league.

Karoi United are without a win for the past three matches. Their most recent match was a two-all draw –third consecutive stalemate- at Chitungwiza Municipality. A total of 13 points separates Karoi United and log leaders Herentals.

Salous leaves Karoi United having guided them to their highest ranking in the NRSL when they finished fourth in the 2016 season.

Although Salous felt the NRSL race was open “for the top 15 teams”, the Karoi United didn’t think so hence they have decided to move on.

Karoi United chairman Amos Chipfuwamiti confirmed the latest developments highlighting that they are trying something new.

“There are changes to the technical. We are trying to work on something but it’s not yet substantial. 

“For now what I can confirm officially is we have fired the coach we had but we haven’t appointed anyone yet,” he said.

Whoever will be appointed as the new Karoi United coach, permanently or temporarily, will begin his tenure with a demanding home fixture against Cranborne Bullets at Chikangwe Stadium this weekend.

Coach Less Darwin United Struggle 

THE absence of a head coach is seriously affecting Darwin United’s performance in the Northern Region Soccer League, club secretary Lovemore Sakala has said.

Darwin United are without a substantial head coach this season after failing to secure deals with Stephen Kaisi and recently Jotham Kavhayi owing to contractual disagreements.

Last month, Kavhayi had been tipped to take over but negotiations broke down on the eleventh hour.

“We don’t have a coach yet. We failed to agree on contracts so we are looking for a coach. Soon we will be having a coach probably by next week.”

Assistant coach Zuze Chamwalila is still taking Darwin United through its paces but it appears the burden is becoming too big especially with the team just a place from the bottom with seven points in 12 outings.

“It’s the issue of missing a coach that is giving us such results. The person we have is an assistant coach so I think he is getting overwhelmed. I think he is finding it tough.

“We also don’t have strikers so it’s also adding up to the issues affecting our performance,” he said.

Last Saturday, Darwin United were clobbered 5-0 at Golden Valley to record their seventh defeat of the season and third in a row.

This weekend, Darwin United will battle it out at home against Chitungwiza Municipality.

Raiva Golden Valley’s target 

GOLDEN Valley have confirmed that Chegutu Pirates coach Gipter Raiva is one of their prime targets to fill the post of head coach in the Northern Region Soccer League.

Chegutu Pirates coach Gipter Raiva

Golden Valley secretary general Musa Bissent told Sportszone that the club had officially parted ways with Raphael Phiri and had begun the process of searching for a new head coach.

“We finalised the issue of coach (Raphael Phiri). What we agreed as management and executive is that with Raphael Phiri we are going to part ways. We found that he is the one who is guilty.”

At the moment, Golden Valley are under the guidance of Abel Banda and Marvel Samaneka. The pair has done a tremendous job so far collecting 10 points in four games.

But lack of proper qualifications for Banda and Samaneka has forced Golden Valley to look for other outside options.

Initially, the miners had two targets in Darlington Dodo and Raiva. However, the appointment of Dodo at Tsholotsho leaves Raiva as the top target, at least for now.

“We will find a new coach at the end of the month. We had targeted Dodo and Raiva but now Dodo is at Tsholotsho it leaves us with Raiva. 

“The person who had the upper hand was Dodo so far these are the targets and applications are still open.”

Golden Valley are also not turning their back on Banda and Samaneka. Plans are aloof to buy time and make the two coaches further their qualifications.

Bissent added: “Banda and Samaneka are also top targets. The management has already communicated its desire to give them chances. If all goes well the company will fund their courses.”

Sigion Sides The Kariba Waves 

UPCOMING coach Alexio Sigion has acquainted himself well with the Kariba community after marshaling Kariba Waves to a convincing 2-0 victory over Ngezi Platinum Under-19 in the Northern Region Soccer League.

Sigion has been appointed Kariba Waves interim head coach covering up for the seasoned Shame Nemasango who has been given leave of absence from work by the management.

Kariba Waves Line Up

Kariba Waves secretary general Pias Dure confirmed the latest adjustment to their technical department, at least for now, while clarifying roles for Sigion and Nemasango.

“Yes we have a new guy Alexio. Shame is still there, he is still in the system. For now Alexio is coming in as coach and we will see how it all works.

“Shame will be back it’s just that he is on a short leave. Once he gets back definitely we will sit down and see what we can do. In the meantime, Alexio is in charge while Shame is resting,” he said.

Sigion is not a newcomer to the NRSL as he been in charge of DC Academy that got relegated in 2015.

However, Sunday’s victory over Ngezi Platinum Under-19 came as boost for Kariba Waves who are gradually moving up the ladder out of the relegation zone.

This weekend, Kariba Waves will be looking to grab a third successive win when they visit Mushowani Stars in Madziva.