Royal AM co-coach Abram Nteo was unsure of Khabo Zondo’s situation at the club following his absence during their 3-1 defeat to SuperSport United in the DStv Premiership match at Lucas Moripe Stadium on Tuesday.
Just before the match, Royal owner Shauwn Mkhize told SuperSport TV that Zondo was left in Durban to prepare the remaining players for the upcoming CAF Confederation Cup second round match against Zesco United on Sunday at 4pm.
This after reports that Zondo is on the verge of being fired by the club, just like Dan Malesela who left the trio of head coaches two weeks ago to rejoin Marumo Gallants.
“The one for coach Dan Malesela I understand and the one for Khabo I’m not sure what’s happening,” Nteo explained to the media after the match.
“The way I know... coach Khabo is still with us and I’m not sure what’s happening. But it didn’t affect much in terms of coach Dan having left the club.
“Maybe the report in the media that Khabo Zondo has left the club may have affected the players somehow, but we spoke to them and told them that he is still part of the club...”
Immediately after saying he was not sure what was happening with Zondo, Nteo then went on to say what he knows is that Zondo was left to train the remaining players who are returning from injuries to be ready for the Zesco match.
“We left the other team that will play in the Confederation Cup, so he is training the team that we left in Durban,” he said. “Some of the players who are remaining are returning from injuries, so that is part of our plan for him to remain there. As far as I know, Khabo is still part of Royal AM.”
Zondo’s appointment by the club in July was one of a few surprises in the Thwihli Thwahla camp in pre-season, considering the 60-year-old had been out of the top-flight picture for almost a decade.
When contacted for clarity Zondo refused to comment, saying he was in a meeting and was not sure when it would end. “I just returned your call because I thought it was urgent and it’s not urgent, so I’m returning to the meeting, thank you,” Zondo told Sowetan.
Is Zondo still Royal AM co-coach?
Mentor remained behind to prepare for Confed game, says Nteo
Image: Philip Maeta
Royal AM co-coach Abram Nteo was unsure of Khabo Zondo’s situation at the club following his absence during their 3-1 defeat to SuperSport United in the DStv Premiership match at Lucas Moripe Stadium on Tuesday.
Just before the match, Royal owner Shauwn Mkhize told SuperSport TV that Zondo was left in Durban to prepare the remaining players for the upcoming CAF Confederation Cup second round match against Zesco United on Sunday at 4pm.
This after reports that Zondo is on the verge of being fired by the club, just like Dan Malesela who left the trio of head coaches two weeks ago to rejoin Marumo Gallants.
“The one for coach Dan Malesela I understand and the one for Khabo I’m not sure what’s happening,” Nteo explained to the media after the match.
“The way I know... coach Khabo is still with us and I’m not sure what’s happening. But it didn’t affect much in terms of coach Dan having left the club.
“Maybe the report in the media that Khabo Zondo has left the club may have affected the players somehow, but we spoke to them and told them that he is still part of the club...”
Immediately after saying he was not sure what was happening with Zondo, Nteo then went on to say what he knows is that Zondo was left to train the remaining players who are returning from injuries to be ready for the Zesco match.
“We left the other team that will play in the Confederation Cup, so he is training the team that we left in Durban,” he said. “Some of the players who are remaining are returning from injuries, so that is part of our plan for him to remain there. As far as I know, Khabo is still part of Royal AM.”
Zondo’s appointment by the club in July was one of a few surprises in the Thwihli Thwahla camp in pre-season, considering the 60-year-old had been out of the top-flight picture for almost a decade.
When contacted for clarity Zondo refused to comment, saying he was in a meeting and was not sure when it would end. “I just returned your call because I thought it was urgent and it’s not urgent, so I’m returning to the meeting, thank you,” Zondo told Sowetan.
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