Israel Saria
Patrick Phiri
Former Mainland soccer champions Simba have intensified the search of a new coach to replace Zambian Patrick Phiri.
In a move that heralds a state of being fed up with the Zambian, the club has linked itself with Rwanda coach Jean Marie Ntagwabira.
Ntagwabira told The Guardian from his base in Kigali that early dialogue with Simba officials have reached a crucial stage with a possible contractual signing.
Ntagwabira, who is currently coaching Rwanda’s top flight side of Kiyovu Sport, has also coached APR and Atraco in separate occasions with remarkable success.
However, none of the Simba official has confirmed to have negotiated with the Rwanda coach as the club is still at crossroads on replacement of Patrick Phiri.
An impeccable source from Simba has it that Ugandan Moses Basena has successfully been appointed to become the team’s assistant coach.
Basena’s name has been approved by Simba’s executive committee which has been meeting since Wednesday.
Basena replaces Amri Said who has been standing in absence of Phiri, who has sometimes been absent or delay to report on duty.
Simba lost steam with the Zambian coach particularly after the team’s bid to retain Mainland premiership title collapsed during the last three rounds.
Simba dropped four crucial points in two matches preceding the final to give rivals Yanga a potential lifeline and cruise to the title podium with last-gasp resurgence efforts.
Phiri goes into Simba’s history as the only foreign coach who managed to lead the club into Mainland premiership title with unique 22 unbeaten run with rare rollercoaster display during the 2009/10 season.
In a related development, the executive committee has agreed to retain the team’s first choice goalkeeper Juma Kaseja who has been on the black book.
Kaseja’s debate has dominated Simba officials in connection with the goalkeeper’s pendulum performance that at times cost the team’s fortunes during the previous season.
Besides new coach and Kaseja issues, Simba are still debating on overhauling its squad for new players ahead of the new season.
Most of the players are on knife edge with their future uncertain as club leaders mull their replacements.
Simba chairman Ismail Aden Rage is expected to announce deliberations of what the club’s executive committee has reached with regard to players registration and hiring of a new coach today.
Simba is lined up for the lucrative Kagame Cup championship that kicks off in Sudan in June through July.
SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN
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