Warriors head coach Botha resigns amid bad results

PIET Botha yesterday became the first victim of the Chevrolet Warriors' wretched season when he resigned as head coach with immediate effect.

He cited poor results and his unwillingness to re-apply for his position at the end of his contract term in April as the main reasons for his decision.

Botha's assistant, Malibongwe Maketa, 34, will take the reins on an interim basis until a replacement is found in the new year.

"It is only fair on the team, support staff, the board and the public that I step aside as head coach," Botha said yesterday.

The former Transvaal and Border all-rounder joined the Warriors coaching staff in 2004 as an assistant to Mickey Arthur and then Russell Domingo. He also coached Eastern Province to a three-day title in 2010.

"I believe the team is in need of new direction and part of that process is to get a coach with a fresh approach.

"There has to be a time when you need to be honest with yourself and make decisions accordingly.

"I have given my all to the Warriors franchise and I feel it is the right time to step aside in order to give the team a fresh approach," Botha said in an emotional press conference.

He will continue to work for the franchise as a technical adviser until his contract runs out.

The Warriors have only managed four wins in 17 matches across the three formats and the pressure had been mounting for some time.

The absence of a full-time Warriors chief executive for the past 16 months and career uncertainty and restructuring within the support structures of Eastern Province Cricket will also have had a knock-on effect on the Warriors and their under-performance. Former Dale College pupil Maketa said he was relishing a chance to make a difference.

"Obviously, for me it's a big honour to be given the opportunity to look after the team in the interim," Maketa said.

He was assistant coach at the Titans for eight years previously.

"It is a difficult position we find ourselves in but also a position where Piet has given the franchise an opportunity to have a look and find a way forward. I want to thank Piet for backing me to be able to do the job and I'm looking forward to these next four months."

Cricket Eastern Cape board member Dr Gary Paul said: "In accepting Piet's decision, the board also respected the reasons that Piet advanced in his admission.

"The board really wishes to thank Piet for the wonderful contributions he made during his tenure with the Warriors. He's been with the franchise for the past 10 years and we wish to commend him for that.

"We will soon be embarking on a recruitment process, a competitive one, and hopefully Malibongwe will make himself available to that process.

"It's our intention to have a permanent head coach appointed by the end of January.

"We are now approaching player contract renewals and the process of acquiring new players. So one wants to have a permanent head coach in place by [that] time."

Maketa's first assignment will be the Sunfoil Series match against the Dolphins, in Maritzburg, starting next Thursday. - Alvin Reeves