Scottland have fired Norman Mapeza after Petro de Luanda knocked them out of the CAF Champions League. The Zimbabwe Premier Soccer League title holders cut ties with their head coach with no delay, leaving the club in need of a new boss while its league campaign remains under pressure.
And the timing is rough for Scottland. Hardrock sit eight points clear of them in the title race, though the defending champs have played two fewer games. That gives them a chance to close the gap, but they still have work to do.
Mapeza's exit came just three days after the loss to the Angolan side. Club chiefs chose to make a change rather than stick with him after the end of their African campaign.
Meanwhile, the hunt for a new coach adds another task for Scottland's bosses. Whoever takes the job will have to deal with a team that needs league points fast if it wants to keep its crown.
For Mapeza, his spell at Scottland is over. The club has yet to name a replacement, and its next choice could play a big part in how the rest of its season goes.
And the timing is rough for Scottland. Hardrock sit eight points clear of them in the title race, though the defending champs have played two fewer games. That gives them a chance to close the gap, but they still have work to do.
Mapeza's exit came just three days after the loss to the Angolan side. Club chiefs chose to make a change rather than stick with him after the end of their African campaign.
Meanwhile, the hunt for a new coach adds another task for Scottland's bosses. Whoever takes the job will have to deal with a team that needs league points fast if it wants to keep its crown.
For Mapeza, his spell at Scottland is over. The club has yet to name a replacement, and its next choice could play a big part in how the rest of its season goes.
