SIMBA coach Jackson Mayanja said no grudges with Isihaka

SIMBA interim-coach Jackson Mayanja has warned that no player is bigger than the club and insisted that he would not tolerate unethical players in his squad.

Mayanja axed skipper Hassan Isihaka after an alleged foul-mouthed rant directed at him from the young defender prior to Federation Cup match against Singida United. Simba management penalised the player by suspending him indefinitely and cutting his monthly salary to half, but he has since apologised.

The Ugandan trainer, who joined Simba from Coastal Union, recalled that every player should comprehend that the football club is more important than any individual. “It’s an internal matter, I made the decision and I don’t want to discuss it on the media.

He has to look at himself because every single player must observe football ethics. I don’t have any grudges with him as a person,” Mayanja said. “No player is bigger than the club and there are certain parameters and principles that you set. See, Manchester United were so much in love with Ronaldo (Cristiano) but he left and the club moved on,” he added.

Isihaka had established himself as regular starter at Simba following his promotion from the youth team, earning the armband ahead of more senior players at the club, but has rarely been used by Mayanja. He was left on bench during the derby against archrivals Young Africans despite the dismissal of Abdi Banda, as Mayanja opted to send on untried Novak Lufungo.

The industrious stopper was lined up for the Federation Cup match against Singida United, but was dropped in the eleventh hour after he reportedly confronted his coach, questioning his decision not to play him in the previous league matches.

Isihaka has since apologised to the coach and the club’s management. “I’m sorry to the coach and the management, I behaved myself in inappropriate manner, but I didn’t intend to offend the coach or anyone.

“I’m young player and eager to develop my career, I play for the national team and to keep my place in the team I have to play regularly at my club, because of that I thought it was important to ask the coach about my position, I did it in a good faith and never thought he would be upset.”

Simba is currently camping in Morogoro in preparation for their next league game against Mbeya City, and according to Mayanja, only the suspended Isihaka and embattled right fullback Hassan Kessy are not in the camp.

Kessy is said to be at odds with Simba leadership over signing fees but his manager, Athumani Tippo rubbished off any claims of wrangling between his client and the club, saying was due to join the camp after recovering from illness that kept him out of the United game.

Simba, who are currently third on the log with 45 points from 20 outings, will play host to Mbeya City at the National Stadium in Dar es Salaam on Sunday.