By SAMUEL LUKHANDA
FOREST rangers have parted ways with their beleaguered coach Simonda Kaunda and his first assistant Israel Mwanza after a poor start to the FAZ-MTN Super League.
Forest Chairperson Benhill Mukuka confirmed the firing of the head coach and his assistant in a telephone interview last evening from Ndola.
“Yes Simonda Kaunda has been fired together with his first assistant Israel Mwanza with immediate effect owing to a string of poor results.
“If you look at the games we have played this season, out of the seven games played so far, we have only managed to win only one game. The performance of the team has been poor and disappointing hence the decision to let the coaches go,” said Mukuka.
The Forest chairperson said the sponsors have invested heavily into the team this term and there was little room for excuses as they have brought in top talent at a price.
Second assistant Owen Kaposa will take charge in the interim as negotiations with the new man are ongoing but are expected to be concluded soon.
Kaposa is in his second year as assistant coach at the club after being a coach-cum-player in the previous seasons and was elevated after he earned his coaching badges with FAZ.
Forest Rangers are second from bottom after seven games with five points after winning only once, drawing twice and losing four times this season.
