Struggling Premiership debutants Hardbody last night fired head coach Tavaka Gumbo and his entire technical department following a string of poor results that have seen the Gweru side only managing 10 points from 14 matches.
The club’s chairperson, Patrick Chikwanda, was also reportedly on his way out. He is expected to be replaced by Usman Matimati in an acting capacity.
Gumbo, together with his assistant Brighton Muchambo, were shown the exist.
He becomes the fourth coach in the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League to be fired this season after Quelaton’s Farai Sibanda, FC Platinum’s Rahman Gumbo and Misheck Chidzambwa of Blue Rangers.
Announcing the dismissal at a Press conference, Hardbody spokesperson Wellington Ngulube said the team’s executive decided to fire Gumbo following a plague of indiscipline which resulted in poor results.
“We made the decision after we realised that there was a lot of indiscipline in the camp and had to make some changes to strengthen the team, so that they can at least win 50% of their remaining matches,” he said.
Ngulube paid tribute to Gumbo’s contribution to the team. Gumbo was in charge of Hardbody when the team gained promotion into the top-flight football last season under contentious circumstances. So far Hardbody have only managed three wins and a single draw out of 14 matches.
Their latest defeats were a 1-3 to FC Platinum and a 2-4 drubbing at the hands of Monomotapa. “We appreciate what Tavaka (Gumbo) has done by helping us gain promotion from Division One and preparing the team for Premiership football at such a short notice. Unfortunately, results have not been coming and we have decided to relive him of his duties. His replacement will be unveiled tomorrow (today).”
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Chikwanda professed ignorance on developments concerning his fate insisting that he was still the chairperson.
Club treasurer Nicholas Nyere has also quit. “I am not aware of that. As far as I know I am still the chairperson,” Chikwanda said. Gumbo could not be reached for comment last night.
