Gaborone United have fired coach Philimon Makhwengwe for conducting training sessions despite the coronavirus pandemic.
Reports appearing on a section of Botswana’s media indicate that the club’s chairperson Boitumelo Nsunge has confirmed that the management has decided to end their engagement with Makhwengwe.
This follows a clip that was aired by Botswana Television (BTV) showing Makhwengwe and some players doing some physical training exercises at an unidentified residence.
Makhwengwe was appointed coach before the start of the season on a short term contract following the departure of Nikola Kavazovic who spent a few months with the team before being forced to resign after a physical confrontation with one of club’s top officials.
“Yes, his contract was supposed to end next month. But due to his reckless behaviour, we decided to end it now. How can he ignore the government guidelines and go ahead to train players. As GU we don’t condone such behaviour,” said Nsunge.
Earlier in the day, Gaborone United had released a statement regretting the incident saying that they don’t condone the action taken by the coach and some of the players.
“Much as we appreciate and encourage our players to exercise and train on their own, we are disturbed by the video as it shows players training in groups of more than 2 people; which is against the allowed social distancing regulations,” reads a club statement.
“In that regard, Management does not condone such behaviour and assures it’s supporters and the nation at large that appropriate action will be taken against any of our employees who is found to have acted against the spirit of Covid-19 prevention initiatives or in contravention of the regulations thereof.”
In January, there were reports that there were plans to fire Makhwengwe for failure to adhere to the terms of his contract.
He was accused of bad mouthing the club that he was supposed to love and protect as his employers before being slapped with a seven day suspension which was later lifted.
Botswana Premier League was placed under temporary suspension on March 16, 2020, way before the first confirmed case of the coronavirus outbreak in the country. The league officials stressed that they take the wellbeing of all their stakeholders seriously.
