PORT ELIZABETH, South Africa – Norman Mapeza quit as coach of South African Premier Soccer League side Chippa United on Tuesday after just four months in charge.
The Zimbabwean was unhappy over what South African media described as a “misunderstanding over the duties of the technical staff.”
He becomes the 21st coach to leave the Port Elizabeth-based club inside six years, illustrating the instability at the club under owner, Siviwe Mpengesi.
A crisis meeting called between Mpengesi and Mapeza failed to resolve the impasse on Tuesday, according to reports.
Long-serving Chippa assistant coach Mbuyiselo Sambu has been handed the task of preparing the team for their away trip to Bidvest Wits on Saturday.
Mapeza was in charge of 19 matches for Chippa, winning eight, drawing three and losing eight times. Four of the 19 matches were cup games.
Crucially, six of their wins came in the league, helping Chippa stay above the relegation zone. With seven matches to play until the end of the season, Chippa lie 11th in the 16-team ABSA Premier Soccer League table, five points clear of relegation.
Chippa United had drawn four and lost four of their opening eight matches in the 2019/20 season before Mapeza’s arrival on a three-year deal.
Mapeza’s last game in charge was Saturday’s crucial 1-0 victory at home to bottom table AmaZulu.
The former Zimbabwe coach quit as FC Platinum boss midway through the season last year, before being announced at Chippa in October.
