Windhoek
Just less than a season ago, the romance between Katutura glamour football club African Stars and its then mentor, one Woody Jacobs, was described as a match made in heaven.
However, the whirlwind relationship ended when the young gaffer requested to be freed from his two-year contract with immediate effect, so that he could join rivals Black Africa at the beginning of the current term.
Stars obliged and heeded the call, releasing Jacobs to pursue his aspirations elsewhere, away from the club. The Reds wasted little time and enlisted the services of former coach Bobby Samaria, who immediately announced his return with a victory in the Standard Bank Super Cup.
Jacobs arrived at Stars during the 2013/2014 league season and immediately warmed himself into the hearts of the Reds followers, by winning the NFA Bidvest Cup before adding the much-sought-after MTC Premiership title the following season – dethroning four times Namibian champions Black Africa.
The youthful gaffer was also on the verge of claiming a cup double by winning the season’s pipe opening Standard Bank Super Cup – having steered the Reds to the MTC Premiership title.
However, Jacobs developed itchy feet, as he could apparently not resist the temptation of jumping ship after dethroned champions Black Africa dangled a juicy carrot in front of his face.
Jacobs, son of former Chicittos gravel voiced lead vocalist Skwana Louw, aka “Bra Squakes”, left Stars under a dark cloud a week prior to the Standard Bank Super Cup showdown with Tigers, which Stars won with former coach Bobby Samaria back at the helm.
Nevertheless, an unpleasant episode has unfolded with Jacobs having resurfaced at his former employers as a claimant. The aggrieved mentor has declared a dispute with his former paymasters and seeks compensation for constructive dismissal before the labour court.
A leaked document in possession of New Era Sports from the African Labour & Human Rights Centre in Windhoek cites African Stars (Pty) Ltd as respondents.
The nature of the dispute has been listed as unfair dismissal and unfair labour practice, while the applicant has proposed August Maletzky to be his representative.
The matter was registered with the labour commissioner in Windhoek on February 26 this year.