Magesi FC coach Owen Da Gama has responded to an alleged rift with his former assistant coach Papi Zothwane who moved to Richards Bay FC.
Zothwane ended his tenure with Dikwena tša Meetse just weeks after the club appointed Owen Da Gama to replace Clinton Larsen.
The former Golden Arrows star took up a co-coaching role at Richards Bay, working alongside Ronnie Gabriel.
Da Gama and Zothwane faced off on the touchline during Friday’s 0-0 draw between Magesi and Richards in the Betway Premiership.
And speaking to the journalists after the match, Da Gama dismissed reports of conflict between them, emphasising their good working relationship.
DA GAMA ON WORKING RELATIONSHIP WITH PAPI ZOTHWANE
“With Papi, we had a good relationship, you know, I actually spoke to Papi in a meeting with the entire management and to coach, Jackie Ledwaba, that wherever I’ve coached, the assistant coach becomes the head coach when I leave,” said Da Gama.
“And that happened. Even Clinton Larsen was my assistant, and he took over from me. Victor Tshabalala and Allan Freese were my assistants.
“Allan is in Morocco, I think, and Victor is now the head coach at Highlands Park. So, I said to them boys, ‘let’s work together’.
“And one day you can take over, you know. Get ready, learn, get more experience, get your qualifications, right and then one day you take over. So, let’s work together.
“That is the relationship we had. And you can see coach Jackie, he stands longer than me on the line there. You know, I have to try to get him out there to have a few words in.
“That’s the relationship we had. They were free. We worked together, they were not ballboys. We planned the sessions together and it was all about the collective.
“So, if there’s anything that’s said there, I don’t know where it comes from.”
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