By CHINOYI CHIPULU
Napsa Stars will be without the services of coach Mohamed Fathi until further notice after the trainer was granted compassionate leave by the club.
Fathi lost his father on February 17 in Egypt but he has not had the time to mourn with his family as Napsa Stars were engaged in crucial CAF Confederation Cup and Super Division engagements.
Napsa General Secretary Honour Janza said in a statement issued by club media and public relations officer Gwen Chipasula that Fathi has been granted permission to take a compassionate leave.
“The Board and Secretariat of NAPSA Stars Football Club wishes to announce that the club has granted Fathi permission to take compassionate leave,” said Janza, who is also Napsa technical director.
Janza said Fathi has not had time to be with his family during that difficult period.
“Our coach suffered a family bereavement last month and we believe it’s best that he takes some time away from the club to be with his family,” he said.
He said assistant coach Kampamba Chintu will act as interim coach in Fathi’s absence.
Janza has however not stated the duration of Fathi’s compassionate leave.
The leave comes barely three days after Napsa lost 2-0 away to Berkane of Morocco in a Confederation Cup Group B opener.
Napsa will host Algerian side JS Kabylie next Wednesday in a Confederation Cup Group B encounter.
