Kota Kinabalu: Heads must roll at Sabah Football Association (Safa) after the Rhinos were routed by Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) 8-0 in Super League over the weekend, former Sabah manager Ronald Cooke said.
“It is historically one of Sabah’s most shameful performance. It’s an embarrassment for all Sabahans.
“We have lost all respect as a state that was once powerful force in Malaysia’s football scene. This defeat is the final nail (in the coffin) for Sabah football,” Cooke said in a statement.
Cooke, who was Sabah team manager that saw the Rhinos win the FA Cup in 1995, said that the team’s coach and manager should be replaced immediately.
“There is something wrong with the officials on the ground as well as Sabah FA itself,” he added.
Cooke said that the 8-0 thrashing is not a laughing matter as the players were paid good salaries but they seemed uninterested in the game.
“There was no defence or attack…we were down by two goals inside 10 minutes. It was a disastrous outing…shameful display,” he said.
He said Safa president Datuk Shahelmey Yahya and other key officials must take a re-look at their positions in the association and make decisions that will help Sabah football and not bring it down and drag it in the drain.
“Shahelmey and other officials, many of whom have been sitting in the State FA for years have done nothing to help Sabah football to regain its glory days.
“It is no point sitting and holding a positions when you can’t help the team.
“Do we have no pride for Sabah. Do we not care for Sabah football. If you can’t do it just quit instead of warming the seats, let passionate people take over,” he said.