The Limpopo-based Premier League team, Baroka FC, have parted ways with their captain, Olaleng Shaku, and their keeper, Oscarine Masuluke. The two players' alleged bad behaviour caused the rift. On Monday night, the former coach, Kgoloko Thobejane, was also fired.
Baroka's former captain, Shaku, as well as Masuluke and the coach, Kgoloko Thobejane, were suspended and ordered to appear before a disciplinary committee (DC) for allegedly drinking on the team bus after the 0-2 loss against Free State Stars last month. The players appeared before the DC last Tuesday and were dismissed for their misbehaviour. The coach had to answer questions on Monday, but was subsequently dismissed.
The team appointed their assistant coach, MacDonald Makhubedu, as the caretaker coach.
Baroka's CEO, Mr Morgan Mmaila, confirmed the dismisssals. "We have terminated the contracts of our captain Shaku and Masuluke and they are no longer Baroka FC players," he said. "We had to release them, but I can't tell you why. If I tell you, then they won't be able to find work," said Mmaila.
The team coach was supposed to appear before the DC last Wednesday, but he did not pitch up. Another date was set and this DC hearing took place on Monday (5 March).
In an interview, Shaku said that he had apologised for his bad behaviour to the team players and management. He said that he was sorry for what he had done. "I'm so hurt to leave my beloved team in this way, because I was the leader of other players," he said.
Shaku said that he accepted the dismissal from the team and he would make sure to train hard in order to keep fit. He expressed the hope that he would get a second chance somewhere.
The former coach, Thobejane, indicated that he was going to appeal against the ruling.