Namibia: Pirates Boot Technical Team

Carlos Kambaekwa

30 June 2011

Windhoek — Another frustrating trophy-less season has prompted Katutura football giants FNB Orlando Pirates to resolve to send its underachieving technical staff packing.

Sources close to the Buccaneers revealed to New Era Sports that the Ghosts have decided not to renew the contracts of technical adviser Woody Jacobs, who also strangely doubled up as head coach – thus reducing Gilbert Rwasoka (coach) to the cameo role of a ball boy.

The Zimbabwean mentor has fallen out of favour with the Pirates’ hierarchy because of his dislike for interference in the discharge of his functions – something that did not exactly go well down the throats of the powers that be at the Dolam-based outfit.

After failing to retain the coveted MTC Premiership title which they won in the 2007/2008 season – Pirates roped in the services of Zimbabwean mentor Rwasoka to steer the ship clear of troubled waters – but the much travelled Zimbabwean found himself in the cold following the arrival of Jacobs.

Rwasoka’s contract also expired at the end of last season and the club has made it clear there is no desire to renew it.

Jacobs, who had an unsuccessful short stint with the Buccaneers in 2010 before he was shown the door halfway through the season, was a surprise acquisition given his earlier unceremonious exit from the Buccaneers ship.

The club is rumoured to be after the signature of Ali “Mr Fix It” Akan, but has apparently been put off by the Turkish national’s heavy salary demands.

It’s still not clear as to whether the club will retain the services of former Pirates’ blue-eyed boy, Ishmael “Lemmy Special” Narib, as assistant coach or whether the old statesman would be relieved of his duties.

A prolific striker with the Ghosts in his heyday, Narib is a founder member of Pirates and has served the club in various capacities with distinction since his retirement in the early eighties.

He was among the first local footballers to be recruited by South African glamour football club Kaizer Chiefs where he spent a season before returning to his native land to rejoin his beloved Pirates.

Approached for comment, the club’s media liaison officer, Wessel Nanuseb, said:

“Obviously, there were certain conditions set when we employed both Rwasoka and Jacobs but unfortunately those conditions have not been met. As a result, both parties mutually resolved to terminate the relationship.”

Nanuseb also squashed rumours linking local mining mogul Johnny “JJD” Doeseb with a move to the Ghosts after his shock resignation from Eleven Arrows.

“Yes there are such talks doing the rounds that prompted us to seek clarity with Doeseb for confirmation which he flatly denied. So, as far as we are concerned that’s hogwash.”

AllAfrica – All the Time