Kruger United reject calls for Abram Mongoya’s dismissal after difficult start

Kruger United will not rush to sack head coach Abram Mongoya despite a difficult opening to the season, with sporting director Elasto Kapowezha insisting the club remains committed to its long-term project.

Mongoya guided the Village Boys to promotion from the Motsepe Foundation Championship but has found life in the top flight considerably more demanding. Kruger United have taken only one point from their first four matches, having suffered three defeats and recorded one draw.

That run leaves them 16th in the league standings, with the club having collected one point from a possible 12.

Kapowezha says the early results cannot be attributed solely to Mongoya or his technical team, and believes Kruger United need time to settle after stepping up to the top level.

“The reason the club has not done well so far is not only the coach. Our analysis has shown us exactly where we stand, what we are going through, and where we are headed,” Kapowezha tells KickOff.

The sporting director said the club’s internal assessment had given them a clear understanding of the challenges facing the team and rejected the idea that the coach should automatically be blamed whenever results turn against them.

“We can’t single out one person. Yes, the coach is responsible for results, but we can’t blame the technical team or the coach every time the team hits a rough patch.

“We know where we are coming from, and where the club is currently. This Kruger [team] is going to be a force to be reckoned with this season.

“This is how we assess things. We can’t be sentimental or just follow what others are doing. You can’t say a coach must leave every time results don’t go your way. We look at it from a totally different perspective.

“We should allow the team to settle, and once the team settles, we will know exactly what we are working towards.

“So, this Pirates game is not a make-or-break for our coach,” he adds.

Kruger United’s next test comes against Orlando Pirates, described as one of the high-flying sides, in a match that will take place at Mbombela Stadium on Tuesday.

Despite their position at the foot end of the standings and their failure to win any of their first four matches, Kapowezha has made it clear that the fixture will not determine Mongoya’s future.

Kick-off against Bucs at Mbombela Stadium is at 19:30.

Mongoya’s promotion-winning campaign with the Village Boys earned him the opportunity to lead Kruger United in the top flight, but the club’s early results have placed the team under pressure. Even so, Kapowezha says the club’s decision-making will be based on its broader assessment of the project rather than short-term reaction to a poor run.

For now, Kruger United will give Mongoya and his squad the opportunity to find their rhythm, with the club confident that improved fortunes will follow once the team has settled.