WINDHOEK – The recent public spit between FNB Orlando Pirates FC and coach Ali Akan has left the short fused Kurdish national without a job.
Pirates reacted angrily to remarks made by Akan during a press conference in Windhoek earlier this week meant to promote this weekend’s much anticipated Katutura derby between traditional rivals Orlando Pirates and Black Africa.
The often-controversial football mentor cited reigning champions Black Africa and African Stars as the only clubs in the domestic league that conduct their business in a professional manner.
The Ghosts hierarchy took offense to Akan’s unprovoked comments and resolved to terminate Akan’s services with immediate effect. In the letter seen by New Era Sports, Pirates found Akan’s tirade uncalled for, adding the outspoken Akan has made it his sole province to cause disharmony between players and management.
On his part, a defiant Akan remains unfazed for being ushered through the exit door and says he has no regrets whatsoever for what his comments. “Pirates is a massive team with a huge following in dire need of honest administrators not fly-by-night business moguls who are out to use the team for self gratification”.
He questioned the club’s real motives behind what he terms a bloated annual budget of N$2.3 million. The club only has a skeleton squad of 22 players earning in the bracket of three and six thousand N$ in monthly salaries – where does the surplus go to”, charges Akan sarcastically.
Akan further accuses the club‘s hierarchy of having registered the Ghosts as a company without the approval of the club’s supporters. “These people lack financial discipline and have no management skills they are milking Pirates to line their own pockets”.
According to Akan, he has to fork out win bonuses from his own pockets after the club resolve to play the hide and seek game following the Buccaneers wins over Tura Magic and Mighty Gunners respectively. “I have always given my best and will never hide the truth because I’m a truly honest person and will remain so until I die”.