Royal AM boss Shauwn ‘Ma’ Mkhize has laughed off talks that Khabo Zondo has left the club, saying “people are trying hard to create instability in the team”.
On Monday evening, rumours of Zondo’ sacking appeared in local media, just weeks after Dan Malesela left the club to rejoin Marumo Gallants.
However, Mkhize says Zondo was left behind at the Royal Ranch in Pietermaritzburg to train the half other team, with the club set to face ZESCO United in the second preliminary round of the CAF Confederation Cup at the Moses Mabhida Stadium this coming weekend.
Later today, Royal AM are visiting SuperSport United at Lucas Moripe Stadium at 19:30, before hosting the Zambian giants on Sunday, which is why Zondo has been left behind in KZN to train the other squad, according to Mkhize.
“Khabo Zondo is at Royal Ranch and he’s training the other team and the training started at 10AM,” MaMkhize told iDiski Times.
“I wish you could go to the village and see for yourself that he’s there, training the team.”
MaMkhize also phoned Zondo, but he couldn’t answer at the time, presumably because he was doing the drills with other half of squad.
“I think the training has started, but I can say on record that the coach is still with us,” assured MaMkhize.
“But I don’t know where this is coming from, to be honest with you. I don’t know what people want from my club. I think people want to create instability in my club that is unnecessary.”
The new reports that Zondo has left Royal AM come just weeks after co-coach Dan Malesela resigned to take over at Marumo Gallants.
Malesela, Zondo and Abram Nteo were appointed as co-coaches at the beginning of the season, to replace John Maduka, who resigned to join Maritzburg United.
Just last week, Mkhize had told iDiski Times that she is not looking for a replacement of Malesela and trusts her other two coaches.
Story by Robin-Duke Madlala (@duke_robin).
MaMkhize: I Don’t Need Malesela’s Successor
