On Thursday afternoon, Lehlohonolo Seema attended a press conference to address the media ahead of the now postponed Nedbank Cup quarter-final clash between Mamelodi Sundowns and Sekhukhune United.
During the press conference, he was asked about his feelings on the reports linking Eric Tinkler to his job. In a firm response, he spoke about how he developed thick skin.
A few hours later, the man was gone. Fired. Just like that. Why on earth did he even attend the press conference? Because that clearly must have been a decision the club made long before the announcement was made, considering it was reported weeks ago (via insiders) that they were in talks with Eric Tinkler.
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If Seema's sacking was not related to a broken relationship between him and the club bosses, then someone needs to explain why black coaches are disrespected the way they are. Sunday World newspaper reported that Seema was allegedly negotiating a deal with Richards Bay behind Sekhukhune's back, but that is not reason enough to fire someone.
It should, in fact, give them reason to find out why Seema would consider working elsewhere and see if there is a way to convince him not to look outside. It's not about begging. It's about ensuring the employee that is doing well is happy in the environment they are in.
For someone who was doing so well, Sekhukhune should have done more to keep Seema, if indeed talks of a move to Richards Bay happened.
Before we carry on, let's go back a bit. Last season, after finishing fourth in the Premiership with Sekhukhune, it's believed that Seema and Sekhukhune could not agree on certain things in his contract, which led to his departure. The club hired a coach who could not even last long enough to start the new season on the bench. The man's name is Peter Hyballa, a name we might not even remember years from now because he never got to officially sit in the hot seat at Sekhukhune.
After letting go of Hyballa, who did Sekhukhune bring back? Of course, they brought back Seema. The man who inspired them to a fourth-place finish. How crazy is that?
Without a pre-season with the club, Seema was able to keep Babina Noko consistently in the top five and now he is without a job. Make it make sense.
I repeat, if Seema's sacking was not related to a broken relationship between him and the club bosses, then someone needs to explain why black coaches are disrespected the way they are.
What's sad is that Sekhukhune could one day, in the future, go knocking on Seema's door, knowing that there is a chance that he could open it and listen to what they have to say. But he shouldn't. Seema should keep that door closed and move on. It's time local coaches closed the door on clubs that call on them in desperate times. With his qualities as a coach, Seema can try his luck and coach in other countries on the continent.
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Just recently, Dan Malasela was placed on 'special leave' at Marumo Gallants. If you've followed South African football long enough, then you know that 'special leave' means a coach is a step away from the exit door.
Through some miracle – possibly due to Gallants' bad results in December – Malesela returned to the bench as head coach and Gallants had a pretty decent run of results in January, going unbeaten.
February was not a good month for Gallants, as they lost three matches in a row. Before we knew it, Malesela was gone. Yes, results were not forthcoming, but the problem is that Gallants could possibly go knocking on Malesela's door one day. But that's not how things should be. It's time our coaches blue tick clubs and look to spread their wings elsewhere, beyond South African borders.
As things stand, black coach, you are on your own.
By Tshepang Mailwane
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