Morgan Mammila: I will tell Chippa when to fire me

The Chilli Boys continued their slump on Friday night when they lost 2-0 in the DStv Premiership to Swallows FC at the Dobsonville Stadium, stretching their winless streak to four matches and triggering questions over his immediate future.

Mpengesi is notorious for hiring and firing, with Mammila already the second appointment this season alone from a long list of casualties. 

“I think the statistics will do justice for all of us – just go check the nine matches I have been in charge [so far]. Then calculate, that is what any chairman will do before they pull the trigger, do the calculations,” Mammila said after the game. 

“But once the team drops down to 14th or 15th, then I am one man who is honest. If the team does not do well, I don’t wait. I am an honest man, I will just say ‘chairman, I don’t want to throw your multi-million status away’ just like others. I understand this business.” 

Mammila, who took over from coach Daine Klate in September, confirmed that Mpengesi made his way to the dressing room after the Swallows defeat. 

“No, I have worked with the chairman. I know him in and out. One thing for sure – this man is my friend, I am not just coaching his team. I got this job because he is my friend. He understands. And I need to explain to him how we are winning when we are winning, and I need to do the same when we are not winning,” the Chippa coach said. 

“It must be visible. The stats do not lie – if a team goes 30 minutes without a shot on target, it tells you something…that the offensive [players] are not in good shape.” 

Chippa, still in a credible sixth position, next face Mamelodi Sundowns on Tuesday, and the title holders also beat Richards Bay 2-0 on Friday night to stretch their winning run to a remarkable nine games in a row.