He couldn’t control the dressing room!

Tshepo Kehimile
OUT OF THE GALAXY: Da Costa

GALAXY DEFEND DECISION TO SACK DA COSTA

A 1-0 home defeat to title rivals Security Systems proved the end of the road for Jwaneng Galaxy’s Miguel Da Costa.

The loss extended Galaxy’s winless run to three games – hardly a crisis!

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Nevertheless, the mining team’s hierarchy saw it fit to act, wielding the dreaded axe and calling time on the Portuguese tactician’s year-and-a-half with the club.

The official word coming out of Jwaneng is that Da Costa, who had six months left on his contract, was sacked for failing to control the dressing room.

In a brief interview with Voice Sport on Wednesday, hours after Galaxy confirmed parting ways with the man who led them to 2019 Mascom Top8 glory, the club’s PRO, Tankiso Morake revealed, “The reason why we took the decision to release Da Costa was because we noticed that he was failing to control his dressing room hence we settled for an amicable departure so that we do not part ways angrily.

“In addition, we sat down and re-visited our mandate which was to compete at the CAF Champions League. To achieve that, we had to win the league and having crashed out of the Mascom Top8, we just found it fit to let him go.”

Quizzed on when Da Costa’s dressing room struggles started, Morake responded, “We respect the coach and there is no way I can reveal how long this has been going on but we took an ultimatum!”

Da Costa’s deputy, the vastly experienced Oris Radipotsane will now assume the role of caretaker coach.

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His first assignment is a weekend trip to Serowe as Galaxy begin their Orange FA Cup campaign against struggling Miscellaneous.

“We strictly want that trophy as well!” added Morake.

Countless attempts to reach Da Costa for a comment proved fruitless as his phone rang unanswered.

Having guided Galaxy to a second-placed finish in his first season in charge – to go with their Top8 triumph – and just two points off the top with 11 games left to play this time round, the charismatic coach’s sacking has come as a surprise to any.

Unconfirmed reports reaching Voice Sport on Wednesday night suggest that former Township Rollers and Gaborone United mentor, Nikola Kavazovic is favourite to replace Da Costa.

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