Matlama coach resigns after assault

Matlama head coach Mothobi Molebatsi has tendered his resignation letter to the club just a day after being assaulted by a fan, writes Tlalane Phahla.

Molebatsi handed the resignation letter to the club’s General Manager on Sunday.

The title-winning coach was attacked by a supporter in Morija following a 1-0 defeat to Lijabatho.

The defeat left the defending champions third on the log and could drop further down depending on the results of other games due to be played on Sunday afternoon.

The club’s social media manager Themba Talane refused to confirm receipt of the resignation letter.

He said the executive committee were “in a special meeting discussing the issue”.

However, a number of sources within the club confirmed he has resigned.

It is believed Molebatsi drafted the letter on Saturday but could not meet with the general manager and had to wait.

Another source close to the situation said the attack is not the sole reason for his resignation but it was a catalyst.

Molebatsi is said to have been unhappy with management’s constant meddling in coaching issues.

The source described coaching Matlama as a nightmare.

Meanwhile, the fan who assaulted the coach has been identified as a registered member of Thetsane branch.

He is said to have approached the technical team after the final whistle.

The coach and his staff were still standing dissecting the shock defeat with another supporter who came to chat with them.

Before they knew it, the middle-aged man slapped him in the face.

He was whiskied away for safety by the police.

It has since emerged that the perpetrator did not apologise to the coach.

Instead, he said he was actually trying to beat the assistant coach Sello Seholoholo, but was not sure which one he was.