MONROVIA – Watanga FC have sacked Coach Arab Fofana nearly five months since taking charge of the club.
The former Mighty Barrolle and Invincible Eleven coach, previously had a spell with Watanga FC in 2010 where his side reached the Liberia Football Association’s knockout final, losing to then Barrack Young Controller I 1-0.
Coach Fofana was dismissed alongside technical director Robert Lartey, who is also Lone Star Female U-20 Team’s coach.
Before his dismissal, Coach Fofana’s side sits fourth from bottom and level on five points with Small Town FC on the Liberia Football Association’s national league table after five games.
Watanga FC have played a total of seven matches across all competitions under Coach Fofana, won two in the Petro Trade Cup, one in the league, lost two and drew two.
However, the club said the duo were parted with for their frequent involvement with the Liberia female Under-20 team.
The club statement reads
“The administration of Football Club Watanga has unanimously resolved to part company with Coach Arab Fofana and Robert Lartey as coach and Technical Director, respectively.”
“The decision comes from the backdrop of the duo’s frequent involvement with the Liberia female national teams; something the club’s board referred to as ‘shared-attention’.
“Coach Arab Fofana is the Assistant coach of the Liberia Female U-20 team while Robert Lartey serves as the head coach of the Female senior national team with Watanga being given less attention by the duo.”
The club, therefore, wishes Coach Fofana and Lartey success in their endeavours.
Meanwhile, Watanga FC have appointed former FC Liberia national team deputy coach, Sam Chebli as their head coach.
According to the club, Coach Chebli is expected to take charge against NPA Anchors today, February 5, at the Blues Field.
Analysis
It is understood that the club met both men before their last two matches against Nimba United and Skills FC regarding their roles at the team.
And even had their dismissal letters being written because officials believed that Fofana and Lartey were putting in more time with the Liberia Female Under-20 teams than Watanga and as such results were not going theirs.
At one point, officials told both men that they were “sharing attention” and the players, and officials could not couple with it as they wanted coaches who could put more time on their jobs.
A source told FrontPageAfrica that reason for the dismissal to reach this time was to resolve how much money each man was to be given.