South African coach stranded in Tanzania amidst payment dispute with Singida Fountain Gate

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FOOTBALL South African coach stranded in Tanzania amidst payment dispute with Singida Fountain Gate

Festus Chuma 15:48 - 22.03.2024

A South African football coach has been stranded for weeks in a Zanzibar hotel due to unpaid dues from his former club.

South African born coach Thabo Senong finds himself in a precarious situation in Tanzania weeks after his departure from Singida Fountain Gate FC. 

The well-regarded coach, along with his South African colleagues, goalkeeper's coach Thembalethu Moses and biokineticist Kelvin Ndlomo, have been left without the means to return home due to unpaid wages by the club.

 This development comes despite the club announcing two weeks ago that they had reached a "mutual agreement" to part ways with Senong and his entire coaching staff.

Senong, who had joined the team in September 2023, was thrust into the limelight following a series of events that saw him taking over as head coach. 

Initially in Tanzania to assist Ernst Middendorp, Senong remained at the club to work under Ferreira after Middendorp's fallout with the club. 

Despite ambitions of securing a spot in a CAF inter-club competition, the team has struggled, currently languishing in 10th place in the league with a disappointing eight-match winless streak.

The situation reached a head when, according to reports, Senong and his staff were effectively left stranded at their hotel, with the club failing to cover their salaries and accommodation costs. 

"We expected that there would be words of praise, however, that was in no way the case. The intention of the meeting became clear. It was all about expressing dissatisfaction. My point of view was not requested. A discussion was not desired…" Senong recounted his experience in a statement to Zimoja.

Singida Fountain Gate FC, in their statement regarding the departure, made no mention of the financial disputes, stating instead that "both parties have decided after a thorough evaluation and consultation by the agreement and the common good." 

Currently, Singida Fountain Gate stands at the seveth position in the league, having gathered 24 points from 21games. This includes a troubling eight-match winless streak that contributed to the decision to change the coaching staff.

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