Struggling Richards Bay handed coach Kaitano Tembo a Christmas Day sacking as the club reached the halfway mark of the season firmly stuck in the DStv Premiership relegation zone.

Tembo was fired only two days after Richards Bay lost 1-0 away at Kaizer Chiefs and despite a performance where they more than matched their hosts but gave away a simple goal.

Richards Bay have won only two of 15 league games this season and have 10 points, seven behind Sekhukhune United, who are next in the standings in 14th place.
Tembo is replaced by Vusimusi Vilakazi “until further notice” said a club statement.

“Richards Bay Football Club would like to announce the release of the Head Coach Mr. Kaitano Tembo with immediate effect. The Club would like to thank the coach for his contribution during this season. We wish him all the best in his future endeavors,” it added. The statement was released on Christmas Day, making for an unhappy holiday for the 53-year-old for Zimbabwe international defender.

Tembo had taken Richards Bay to the Carling Knockout semi-final this season but in 18 matches in all competitions since arriving at the club in July, he won only three times, with five draws and 10 defeats.

The 41-year-old Vilakazi takes over as a solo head coach for the first time but was co-coach with Mabhuti Khenyeza at Lamontville Golden Arrows for 43 games, including the entire last season. He quit to become technical director at Chippa United but stayed only two months to move to Richards Bay last month, where he was effectively Tembo’s assistant.