The Limpopo club announced in a statement that Mammila had “resigned from his position with immediate effect” just two matches into the 2024/25 Motsepe Foundation Championship season. A source close to the club told Independent Newspapers that club boss Khurishi Mphahlele will task Joel Masutha – the former goalkeeper who has held coaching posts, most on a caretaker basis, at Chippa United, Black Leopards, Venda Football Club, Pretoria Callies and Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila – with leading the club.
Masutha was, however, not Mphahlele’s first choice. He had wanted former Bafana Bafana star Shaun Bartlett, and with good reason too given that the Capetonian has a track-record of helping clubs gain promotion.
Bartlett has in the past helped both Golden Arrows and Cape Town Spurs graduate from the second-tier league to the elite league and Baroka believed he would be the man to take them to local football’s land of milk and honey.
But Bartlett, who was previously with Spurs, would clearly rather continue with his punditry job at SuperSport TV than make the trek up to Limpopo.
And Mphahlele was thus left with no option but to go for Masutha, who will be expected to get Baroka’s season up and running after their stuttering start to the campaign under Mammila.
The outspoken former administrator-turned-coach had joined the club during last season’s promotional play-offs, but could not help them achieve their goal of returning to the elite league. He stayed on and even boldly promised to take Bakgaga “to the promised land of premiership football by winning 20 matches”.
But when Baroka drew 1-1 at home to Orbit College on Matchday one, before being hammered 4-1 at Upington City last weekend, the alarm bells rang for Mphahlele, who summoned Mammila and the rest of the technical team to his offices in Lebowakgomo for an explanation. He was evidently not impressed and though the official word from the club is that Mammila resigned, there is every reason to believe he jumped knowing he was to be pushed.
Masutha, should he be appointed as expected, will start his reign with a trip to Hungry Lions next Saturday.
Meanwhile, the DStv Dski Challenge continues this weekend despite the international football break. Early pacesetters Cape Town City, who won their opening match against Sekhukhune United 6-2, are up against Orlando Pirates in the Vaal today, while defending champions Stellenbosch FC host Richards Bay FC. Mamelodi Sundowns, runners up in the previous campaign, will hope to continue with their good start, which saw them win 3-0 against Bay last weekend, when they welcome newbies Marumo Gallants to the Lucas Moripe Stadium tomorrow.
DStv Diski Challenge fixtures:
Today - TS Galaxy v SuperSport United, Tsakane Stadium, 10am; Magesi v AmaZulu, Old Peter Mokaba Stadium, 12pm; Orlando Pirates v Cape Town City, Isak Steyl, Stadium, 12pm.
Sunday - Stellenbosch v Richards Bay, Ida’s Valley Sports, Ground, 10am; Polokwane City v Royal AM, Old Peter Mokaba Stadium, 10am; Sekhukhune United v Golden Arrows, Isak Steyl Stadium, 10am; Kaizer Chiefs v Chippa United, FNB Stadium, 10am; Mamelodi Sundowns v Marumo Gallants, Lucas Moripe Stadium, 10am.