Richard Nkosi

Richard Nkosi

Witbank Spurs will start the new National First Division season in August without the services of coach Steve "Disco" Makua after negotiations over a new contract failed to produce positive results.

Spurs spokesman Thabo "T-Bose" Moroape confirmed they had parted ways with the coach.

"I want to make it clear though that it is not Spurs who parted ways with Makua, but it is Makua who severed the ties," said Moroape.

"Makua tabled his demands and told the team that if we failed to meet them we should relieve him as the team's head coach.

"We relieved him because we failed to match his request," said Moroape.

When Makua spoke to Sowetan yesterday, he contradicted Moroape's statement that his demands were too high.

"Spurs owe me outstanding payments dating back to October last year.

"It is not true that in my new contract I demanded more money. "Actually, I wanted them (Spurs) to back-pay me my outstanding money before we can start negotiating a new contract.

"They failed to give me what is due to me and that is why we parted ways," said Makua.

He added that for now he would focus on his Steve Disco Makua Academy.