MOROKA Swallows coach Gordon Igesund yesterday expressed his sadness at the expulsion of Manqoba Mngqithi by AmaZulu and described the youthful coach as "a very good colleague".
Interestingly, it was Igesund's Birds that confirmed the dismissal of the 40-year-old from the Usuthu kraal after they pipped the Durban club 1-0 at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday.
Usuthu director Graham O'Connor said the decision to give Mngqithi the boot was purely influenced by their poor start to the season.
Mngqithi became the first casualty of the season but it was widely rumoured that he was returning to Lamontville Golden Arrows to replace Ernst Middendorp, who is also believed to be under fire after a disappointing start to the campaign.
"It is sad that he has been fired and I feel sorry for him," said the decorated Swallows trainer yesterday. "Manqoba is a good colleague and coach but we are in a job where there is no guarantee. It's the nature of our job all over the world and we have to live with it. The game on Saturday could have gone either way but we fought hard for the three points."
The goal that eventually prompted the impatient Usuthu management to finally fire Mngqithi was scored by Ashraf Hendricks as Swallows recorded their third win of the season.
They will be hoping to extend their winning record on Sunday against basement club Jomo Cosmos at Dobsonville Stadium (3pm kickoff). The Dube Birds will not be inspired only by their success in Durban going into Sunday's encounter, but also by their triumph in their last match at the Soweto venue. They saw off Free State Stars 2-1, thanks to goals from David Mathebula and Lefa Tsutsulupa.
Igesund said his friendship with Ezenkosi owner-coach Jomo Sono "will be temporarily suspended on Sunday".
"It is always difficult to play against Cosmos, who are physically strong but not robust. Cosmos have been unfairly criticised for playing dangerously but I beg to differ with this. They play the way football should be played."
The weekend's fixtures are:
FRIDAY
Cape Town: Ajax Cape Town vs Free State Stars (8pm)
SATURDAY
Peter Mokaba: Black Leopards vs Maritzburg United (3pm); Milpark: Bidvest Wits vs AmaZulu (3pm); King Zwelithini: Lamontville Golden Arrows vs Santos (6pm); Seisa Ramabodu: Bloemfontein Celtic vs Kaizer Chiefs (6pm); Orlando: Orlando Pirates vs Mamelodi Sundowns (8.15pm) SUNDAY
Dobsonville: Swallows vs Cosmos (3pm) and Lucas Moripe: SuperSport United vs Platinum Stars (3pm).
Igesund sad for Mngqithi
MOROKA Swallows coach Gordon Igesund yesterday expressed his sadness at the expulsion of Manqoba Mngqithi by AmaZulu and described the youthful coach as "a very good colleague".
Interestingly, it was Igesund's Birds that confirmed the dismissal of the 40-year-old from the Usuthu kraal after they pipped the Durban club 1-0 at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday.
Usuthu director Graham O'Connor said the decision to give Mngqithi the boot was purely influenced by their poor start to the season.
Mngqithi became the first casualty of the season but it was widely rumoured that he was returning to Lamontville Golden Arrows to replace Ernst Middendorp, who is also believed to be under fire after a disappointing start to the campaign.
"It is sad that he has been fired and I feel sorry for him," said the decorated Swallows trainer yesterday. "Manqoba is a good colleague and coach but we are in a job where there is no guarantee. It's the nature of our job all over the world and we have to live with it. The game on Saturday could have gone either way but we fought hard for the three points."
The goal that eventually prompted the impatient Usuthu management to finally fire Mngqithi was scored by Ashraf Hendricks as Swallows recorded their third win of the season.
They will be hoping to extend their winning record on Sunday against basement club Jomo Cosmos at Dobsonville Stadium (3pm kickoff). The Dube Birds will not be inspired only by their success in Durban going into Sunday's encounter, but also by their triumph in their last match at the Soweto venue. They saw off Free State Stars 2-1, thanks to goals from David Mathebula and Lefa Tsutsulupa.
Igesund said his friendship with Ezenkosi owner-coach Jomo Sono "will be temporarily suspended on Sunday".
"It is always difficult to play against Cosmos, who are physically strong but not robust. Cosmos have been unfairly criticised for playing dangerously but I beg to differ with this. They play the way football should be played."
The weekend's fixtures are:
FRIDAY
Cape Town: Ajax Cape Town vs Free State Stars (8pm)
SATURDAY
Peter Mokaba: Black Leopards vs Maritzburg United (3pm); Milpark: Bidvest Wits vs AmaZulu (3pm); King Zwelithini: Lamontville Golden Arrows vs Santos (6pm); Seisa Ramabodu: Bloemfontein Celtic vs Kaizer Chiefs (6pm); Orlando: Orlando Pirates vs Mamelodi Sundowns (8.15pm) SUNDAY
Dobsonville: Swallows vs Cosmos (3pm) and Lucas Moripe: SuperSport United vs Platinum Stars (3pm).
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