Civics in dire straits

CIVICS are on the look out for a new coach after parting ways with Christy Guruseb on 19 October.

They had just returned from the north where they only picked up one out of a possible six points, that left them second last on the log, only two points above basement dwellers Flamingoes.

Civics have only won one match out of nine to date and their current predicament is a far cry from the mighty Civilians team that dominated Namibian football a decade ago, winning three consecutive NPL titles.

The parties said they parted amicably but Guruseb said that poor working conditions led to his decision to resign.

“The working conditions were really not good. We struggled with a lack of equipment, the boys struggled with lifts to training, and sometimes some of the kids had to sleep over at my house. I was not happy with the working conditions as well as our results so I stepped down,” he said.

Guruseb said he wanted to sign some new players but a lack of finances curtailed this.

“We lost some quality players like Sadney Urikhob, Wangu Gome and Leroy Adams and I was trying to replace them but was told there was no money to buy them. I also had a top youngster Wendell Rudath training with us and wanting to join, but he eventually joined Black Africa,” he said.

Guruseb said he had already received an offer to coach another NPL club from 1 January 2016, and was busy considering it.

Tim Isaacs, an executive committee member of Civics said they had accepted Guruseb’s resignation and were looking to appoint a new coach.

“In the business that we are in, Christy’s vacancy must be filled, but we can’t do it overnight and we must also see which coaches are available,” he said, adding that Costa Khaiseb would serve as the interim coach and Lukas Hashiti as the goalkeeper coach.

“Costa was previously Civics’ team manager but he is also a quality coach who did some courses in Germany. I think he can make a difference,” he said.

Isaacs denied that Civics were in financial difficulties but acknowledged that they had spoken to potential investors.

“It’s true that we don’t have a sponsor, but we don’t have financial problems and always honour our financial commitments. We had some potential business partners who were interested in investing in the club, but they want to see a return on their investment and in Namibian football that’s far fetched.

“Look at someone like Helmut Scharnowski who put so much money into this team. There are no returns in Namibian football and as long as our status doesn’t change we will remain financially challenged,” he said.

Isaacs said the Namibia Premier League needed all stakeholders to make an input if it was to succeed in its aim of becoming professional, adding that a lack of marketing was also part of the problem.

“The English Premier League (EPL) is so popular because of marketing and television rights and this income then goes into strengthening the EPL. But here in Namibia you must pay the NBC to cover your games.

“Look how the Zambian and the Zimbabwean leagues have grown, it’s because of their coverage on Supersport, but until the NBC comes to the party for the growth of the sport, we will be stuck,” he said.

Isaacs however said the quality of NBC’s broadcasts left much to be desired.

“Look at their poor broadcast of the Namibia Sport Awards on Friday night, I was so frustrated. If they cannot broadcast such an event without glaring shortcomings, then I don’t know,” he said, adding, “we know they are struggling, but it’s a national obligation to uplift soccer and they must play their part.”