An affiliate of the Limpopo Stream of the ABC Motsepe League, Vondwe XI Bullets Football Club, has appointed the former head coach of Emmanuel FC, Mr Tshikani Musa Nkondo, as their new head coach. Nkondo takes over from the vastly experienced local mentor, Owen da Gama, who parted ways with Bullets three weeks ago.
Da Gama left Bullets after receiving a lucrative job offer from Betway Premiership League side Magesi FC. The 63-year-old coach joined Bullets at the beginning of the current soccer season. Da Gama quickly built Bullets into a formidable side, with the team currently leading Stream A with 15 points from seven matches.
The chairman of XI Bullets, Mr Phathutshedzo Siebe, described Mr da Gama's departure as a big blow to the club. He revealed that his decision to appoint Nkondo was influenced by the fact that Nkondo knows the ABC Motsepe League like the palm of his hand.
Nkondo is not a new name in Vondwe XI Bullets' books. He was the mastermind behind the club's success last season before leaving for Emmanuel FC in the middle of the season. At the time of his departure, Bullets were sitting at the top of the stream.
Nkondo was introduced to the players at the team's training session on Monday morning. In an interview, he said he was delighted to be part of the Bullets family once again. He stated that, from what he had observed during his first training session, his predecessor, Owen da Gama, had built a strong foundation for him. Nkondo also expressed his appreciation for the fact that most of the players know his coaching philosophy, as they were part of the team he coached last season.
Bullets will open the new year with a home match against Tzaneen United at Makonde Stadium on Saturday, 18 January.