Komara coach steps down due to heavy workload

By NATHAN WOTI
UPNG Journalism Student
A HEAVY workload of tasks at the club forced Gulf Komara coach David Aua to step down from his position.
Aua announced he would step down after his side’s 3-0 loss to Tusbab Stallions in Madang last week. Assistant Steve Mune is now the Komara’s new head coach while Aua takes up the team manager role.
Aua told The National yesterday that he stepped down to focus on the management of the team but added the transition would be down over time.
“Steven will take over as we go along,” he said.
“Right now he is learning the names of individual players, and trying to understand the way they play, so we’ll wait for that.”
Aua said he would assist Mune when he took up the role and continue to share his knowledge of the game.
Aua, a former national goal keeper, said the club’s four consecutive losses in the Kumul Petroleum National Soccer League competition had forced them to make changes.
“It’s just the opening rounds of the competition, so it’s a good thing,” he said.
“Not to make any excuses for our losses, but it’s good we realised that there were issues within the club, so we’ll work to fix them while we still have enough rounds left to make it back.”
He said the team was working to be more competitive in matches and to finish attacking opportunities which was one of their big problems.
Aua said Saturday’s match against Star Mountain would be their opportunity to put a more complete performance on.
Aua said last week’s loss in Madang was in part due to the heat and humidity which they could not adjust to.
“Many of the boys were first timers to Madang, and they couldn’t handle the heat. So unfortunately that affected our game a bit. But mainly, it’s to do with communication break down and the way we pass the ball around,”Aua said.