Polokwane City coach Lehlohonolo Seema says co-coach Duncan Lechesa has not been sacked but he is away because of illness.
Lechesa was Polokwane City’s co-coach with Phuti Mohafe when they gained PSL top-flight promotion last season by winning the Motsepe Foundation Championship title.
However, he has not been on the bench, missing the chunk of the campaign towards the end of last term and has not been on the bench either in any of the eight league matches for Rise and Shine.
His absence has raised eyebrows and this website was informed that he was linked with Baroka job, who were in search of a new coach after they parted ways with Stanford Nkoane before they went with Dan Malesela.
Lechesa, according to the sources, was in the stands when Baroka drew 1-1 with Casric Stars at Solomon Mahlangu last Friday, Nkoane’s last game, fuelling talks that he was no longer part of the Polokwane City’s set up.
But Seema has explained that Lechesa is not well due to the sickness which has made him not to be part of the team.
“Coach Duncan has gone to see the doctor, going for the check up but he is still with us,” said Seema.
“He couldn’t make this trip to Durban.”
According to the sources within Polokwane, Lechesa went for an operation in the last couple of days, exacerbating his absence that it might take time for him to be part of the team.
Polokwane City picked up their second win on the bounce, beating Richards Bay at King Zwelithini Stadium on Wednesday to move to fifth in the DStv Premiership table with 13 points after eight matches.
Oswin Appollis was at the heart of the victory, crafting things in the attack for Rise and Shine. His cross that was deflected was met by Mokibelo Ramabu in the referee’s added time, to see Polokwane win away for the first time this season and since beating Kaizer Chiefs on 14 September 2019.
But Seema, as much as the former SuperSport United winger has been important in the side, didn’t want to praise him.
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“I don’t want to single out any player and Appollis is good as the next player next to him,” said Seema of Appollis who joined the club from Pretoria Callies during the off season.
“Not one is outshining anyone, we are humbled, grounded, we are not going to talk because things can change tomorrow.
“For us it is to make sure we are working on things we need to work on and working hard. While we are doing that, consolidate our position in the league so that we can save our status.”
