Secker dumps Lioli

Chris Theko

Thabile Secker has resigned from his post as Lioli Head Coach ending a four month spell with the Teyateyeneng giants.  

The 2018/19 Premier league winning coach took over from Lehlohonolo Thotanyana in July this year and had already won one title, the Econet Soccer Spectacular (ESS).  He leaves Lioli in position eight after seven league matches. 

Secker left Maseru giants Matlama in July this year in a shock move that saw him join “Tse Nala” in what was to be a much bigger challenge for his career. 

But the former LCS and Lioli midfielder has endured a tough three months of hostile relations with his dressing room ever since his arrival. 

He had clashes with three players, Tumelo Makha, Diutlwileng Boikanyo and Itumeleng Sheleng. Another player joining the list just recently is Ramathe, who was handed his last warning a fortnight ago. 

Newsday sports learned that after Ramathe’s clash with Secker, the management and the three presidents met with the player and gave him his last warning on Tuesday.

Contacted for comment on the decision to leave Lioli, Secker said it was a tough decision to make but given his working conditions it was something he had to do. 

“I had no choice but to think about my career as a coach and my reputation over and above money,” said Secker. 

“The management of the team was interfering with my job as a coach, basically dictating what I do with my players, and how I instill discipline in my team”

As a coach I had to think about my reputation over how much money I was making, Again there were a couple of things I was not happy about that I am not ready to reveal yet,” said Secker.

Lioli General Manager Matobako Hlalele confirmed the news but refused to go into details about the resignation letter. 

“Yes our coach resigned last week, we did receive his letter.  In it he says that there are things that did not sit well with him and that’s as far as I can go for now,” Hlalele said. 

Hlalele also admitted that Secker had a fall out with a number of players but said the issues were attended to by the club’s Vice President technical Lehlohonolo Thotanyana. 

He had a fall out with Ramathe our Technical Director, ntate Thotanyana sat down with our management and the player to hear his side of the story.  They had already met with the coach, heard his concerns and it was also befitting to also listen to the player’s side before making any decisions.

Ramathe was then given a warning and ordered to go back to training.  But it came as a surprise when on Thursday he handed in his resignation. The management tried to talk to him but it was clear that his mind was already made up,” Hlalele said.  Lioli management has placed Secker’s assistant Soai Mosola as the caretaker coach until they make a decision whether or not to get a new coach or not.