Coach sidelined

By PARKER TAMBUA
WAGHI Tumbe have sidelined coach Joe McConnor and trainer Alphonse Kapil following the side’s poor start to the Digicel Cup season, according to club chairman Paul Tumun.
He told The National yesterday that Dusty Mockley and Samson Philip had been appointed as interim coach and trainer respectively.
Tumun said McConnor and Kapil would remain with the team but in different capacities.
“We decided to sideline McConnor and Kapil after we lost 8-18 to the Port Moresby Vipers in round six a fortnight ago,” he said.
“The board will have a meeting at the end of the season and we will decide on their future after we review their contract.”
Meanwhile, Mockley had his first game as coach in Tumbe’s 6-14 round-seven loss to the Hela Wigmen in Port Moresby on Sunday.
Mockley said he was new to the team and a short preparation had contributed to the loss.
“We only had few days to prepare for the match against the Wigmen,” he said.
“I took the players through some attacking structures but we didn’t have enough sessions.
“I hope we turn things around in our next game (against Mt Hagen Eagles) and hopefully we finish well this season.”
Tumbe — who are 10th in the 12-team competition — have recorded just one win, a draw and five losses after seven rounds.