Da Gama takes over reigns at Highlands Park
JOBURG - Owen Da Gama takes over coaching reigns at the struggling Linksfield-based Lion of the North in the National First Division.
Former Bafana Bafana assistant coach Owen Da Gama has taken over the coaching reigns at Highlands Park.
Da Gama was appointed after the axing of Thierry Mulonzo and his assistant Les Grobler following a string of poor results at the start of the season.
Highlands media officer Sibonelo Ngidi confirmed the appoint of Da Gama who is a scout coach of the Nedbank Ke Yona Team. He is expected to revive the fortunes of the team after it was relegated last season from the Premier Soccer League. The Lions of the North, as Highlands is affectionately known to its loyal fans, were promoted to the Premier Division in the 2015/16 season after winning the promotional play-offs of the National First Division, but they were relegated at the end of their maiden season after finishing at the bottom of the league.
The new season officially kicked off in August and the Linksfield-based Lions of the North who practise at the Balfour Park Stadium lost three back-to-back games following a promising start.
Club officials were eager for a quick return to the Premier Division and Mulonzo and Grobler offered to resign only after five games at the helm.
“The team would like to thank them [Mulonzo and Grobler] for their immense contribution to the team and would have liked to have them usher the team back to the premier league but unfortunately after deliberations, the coaching duo decided to amicably and mutually part ways with the team,” Ngidi said.
Da Gama, who takes over with immediate effect, will have his first assignment against Ubuntu Cape Town FC to be played at Highlands’ home ground, the Makhulong Stadium in Thembisa on 29 September.
Details: Sibonelo Ngidi 071 229 3597; ngidi@highlandspark.co.za
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