Blue Waters Football Club has reappointed former assistant coach Armando Pedro in his position, a year after unceremoniously sacking him.
A media release availed to Nampa on Sunday said Pedro will work with head coach Lucky Shipanga, while former assistant coach Mekondjo Tobias will now assume the role of second assistant coach.
In April 2022, Pedro who was assistant coach to Paulus Shipanga at Waters at the time, dragged the club to the labour court claiming unpaid salaries and bonuses of up to N.dollars 337 000 and N.dollars 208 000 respectively for the breach of contract, which the duo had signed at the beginning of the 2021 season and which was due to end at the end of the season in 2023.
The cited reasons for the termination of the contracts were that the two had failed to reach their performance targets, insubordination, lack of discipline, instigating players to revolt against the club and management, disclosure of confidential information, and violating the club’s code of conduct, amongst others.
The pair did not last a year in their positions as the club terminated their contracts in December 2021 after defaulting on their salaries in October and November.
The club then suggested that the two resign, but they refused, which led to them having their contracts terminated without a hearing.
When contacted for comment on the status of the case with the two coaches and the latest developments, Blue Waters Chairperson Robert Shimoshili confirmed that Pedro was indeed back at the club and his labour case against the club was history.
“We have settled with him. The other coach (Shipanga) is now at another club. He has not approached us for reconciliation, but if he does, we will settle with him too,” Shimoshili said.
However, Shipanga disputed this, saying he gave the settlement amount and he is still waiting to hear from the club.
“The club promised to settle Armando (Pedro) first before settling me. I even gave them a reduced offer to settle. I am still waiting as they have not yet responded,” Shipanga said.
He added that they (Shipanga and Pedro) had discussed the issue and agreed to negotiate with the club via their lawyers.
The conciliation/arbitration case between the parties involved is set for the Walvis Bay Labour Court on 26 April 2023.
Source: The Namibian Press Agency
