Expelled athletes respond to coach Mike Mbambani’s accusations

The athletics coach accused the athletes of bringing women to camp and consuming alcohol in his absence.

The athletes dismissed include former national half-marathon Mosiako (28), national 5km champion Nicolas Seoposengwe (22), The Nelson Mandela Bay Cross Country Legacy Series winner Sinethemba Jilingisi (22), former Madibaz half-marathon champion Simon Sebeko (29), and Nelson Mandela Bay 10km legacy Series winner Cwenga Nose (23).

“I am no longer with the coach, that’s true, but I’m shocked that he would stoop so low as to run to the media and air our private matters. Did he mention that he sent his brothers to attack other athletes? I told him I was returning home to Potchefstroom—he didn’t kick me out, but he did expel the others,” Mosiako said.

“I left because I had enough of him. Sinethemba, Simon, and Cwenga were assaulted, and he’s not being truthful. His real issue is that he was upset when I went home after getting paid because I was his best athlete.

READ: Mike Mbambani expels five athletes from Ikamva for ill-discipline

In an interview with the national broadcaster, Mbambani accused Mosiako of damaging his wife’s car, while Mosiako acknowledged the incident, he claimed to have purchased the car from the coach for R50,000 and repaired it.

“He doesn’t have the courage to confront me directly, and now he’s making accusations that could damage my marriage and relationships with sponsors. I was the reason the camp had many of its benefits, and now he’s acting like a cry-baby. After winning the national 21km championships, I had an accident with his car, which I later bought, but he’s refusing to give me the paperwork.

“I just want the R30,000 he borrowed from me, but now he’s blocked me. Our only communication is through email. Yes, I drink after races, but never during training or on race day—I’m human, and nobody is perfect.

It’s heartless that he sent his brothers to attack the athletes under the guise of building a family-oriented club. What possible justification is there for beating up athletes?’’Mosiako revealed.

Meanwhile, Seoposengwe acknowledged that he was also expelled for misbehaviour and testing positive for a banned substance, but expressed shock that the coach would make the situation public.

"Yes, I was expelled, that’s true. Yes, I failed a drug test, that’s also true. I had been drinking, and he kicked me out following the national half-marathon championships," Seoposengwe said.

Nose, Sibeko, and Jilingisi also admitted they were expelled and assaulted and have now accused the coach of being a “bully." Sibeko explained, “Yes, the coach’s brothers beat me. Our offense was having fun and drinking alcohol at the camp while he was away. I was asleep when they kicked in the door and started attacking me. They even broke Nose’s nose. My family had to book a bus for me to return home to the Free State because I was stranded. I don’t want to attend any more camps—coaches are bullies, and there’s no freedom there."

“We didn’t come with prostitutes as the coach claims; we came with our girlfriends,” said Jilingisi. “He’s a control freak who always wants things done his way. Why did he beat us? He’s a cruel man who did unimaginable things to us. I was seriously injured but too scared to go to the police because he’s powerful and wealthy. I even borrowed money to try to leave for the Eastern Cape, but he blocked me. I was bleeding and terrified. He never apologizes and even makes jokes about our personal lives. Even if you don’t find it funny, you’re forced to laugh,” Sinethemba said, crying uncontrollably.