By KALUMIANA KALUMIANA and SANDRA MWILA –
‘MIGHTY’ Mufulira Wanderers coach Manfred Chabinga has said he quit his position at the struggling Mufulira side out of frustration and further denied any speculation linking him to troubled Kitwe giants Power Dynamos.
Chabinga and his assistant Chewe Mulenga were conspicuously missing from the Mufulira Wanderers bench during Sunday’s 2016 MTN-FAZ premier Division Week-Six home game against promoted Lusaka Tigers that ended scoreless at Shinde Stadium in Mufulira.
Wanderers secretary Samuel Kalunga has stated that Chabinga had not resigned from the club but had just deserted a position.
“I resigned from Mighty because I was frustrated with some issues though I will not disclose to you the happenings.
“Let the Secretary (Kalunga) just tell you the truth on what happened, I didn’t desert the team. I resigned, I informed him (Kalunga) on Friday. Ask the players if you want, they know what’s happening,” Chabinga said.
Chabinga has been a wanderers coach since 2014 when he led them back to the FAZ Super League in 2015 for the first time since 2005.
They went on to finish fifth last season and are currently seventh on the log with seven points from six matches, nine points behind leaders Nkana.
Rumours swirled on Sunday that Chabinga was in line to replace Tennant Chilumba at Power Dynamos after a poor start to the 2016 season by the latter.
“I quit Mighty yes, it’s true but it is not true that I am going to Power Dynamos. It is just a rumour, and on whether I can take up the job if I am offered at Power, I can’t comment because we are still sorting out issues with Mighty,” he said.
Power were quick to brush aside the Chabinga rumours with Club Secretary Ricky Mamfunda saying, “No, I have not heard anything like that and it is not true that Manfred is coming to Power Dynamos.”
Information on the ground states that Chabinga was not happy with the treatment from supporters especially after losing 3-1 to Kabwe Warriors last weekend further complaining about interference from the executive.
“The rule at Mighty is that the coaching staff should direct all queries to club secretary and I reported to Kalunga that I have resigned. “The problem with him (Kalunga) is that he doesn’t come to the ground to check on the team and he is now giving statements from his head,” Chabinga said.