Tzaneen United owner, Dennus Mafologela.
By: Refilwe Sebola
Tzaneen United owner Dennus Mafologela has addressed the recent resignation of head coach Oruel Sambo.
Sambo left his position as head coach of last year’s ABC Motsepe League Stream B champions on Monday, citing “circumstances beyond football” as the reason for his departure. However, rumours have emerged suggesting that he resigned due to unpaid salaries.
Mafologela confirmed that he received Sambo’s resignation letter but denied the allegations regarding non-payment. He explained that Sambo was not on the club’s payroll, as he had been working on a voluntary basis.
“The coach was not on our payroll; he was working as an interim coach voluntarily. So, I am surprised to hear rumours that we failed to pay him,” Mafologela stated.
In response, Coach Sambo refuted Mafologela’s claims, asserting that there were payment agreements in place. “We did agree on a specific monthly payment, which he promised to increase if the team performed well. I am surprised he is denying it now. I am a qualified professional with lot of experience; I cannot work as a volunteer,” Sambo said.
Mafologela also announced the appointment of a new coach, Thabiso Msonkela, from the Eastern Cape. Msonkela previously worked with Tubatse United and had partially assisted coach Peace Khosa during the playoffs last season before returning to Tubatse United.
He has already started training the team and will be in charge for the upcoming game against Black Leopards this Saturday at Nkowankowa Stadium.