Coachless Tigers ready for Nomads
Azam Tigers are becoming used to the unpleasant situation that sees them go into battle without either key players or their coach Frank ‘Franco’ Ndawa.
And today would be no different. The Kau Kau go into their first TNM Super League second-round match against Mighty Wanderers at Kamuzu Stadium without Ndawa.
The coach is on a Flames’ mission in Mali. Yet when he was around in last Saturday’s 2014 Standard Bank Knockout Trophy final at Civo Stadium, Tigers were without defenders Boston Kabango, Stanley Sanudi and winger Isaac Kaliyati who were on Under-20 duty.
Standing in for Ndawa today is Chikaiko Bridge (team manager), who is still learning the coaching ropes. Tigers’ technical director Robin Alufandika on Thursday said they had no coaching options on their small bench.
“We do not have an assistant coach and this affects us going into such big games without a coach. We can do without our key players as we now have a big squad, but we miss the coach the most. Our directors will meet to see the way forward,” Alufandika explained.
His team is placed 10th on 16 points, a point behind the eighth-positioned Nomads who have played 15 games. Wanderers have, minus left back Francis Mulimbika who is in Mali, a full house including coach Gerald Phiri.
This match offers Wanderers’ rejects such as striker Diverson Chilemba and Nafe Misasa, who are with Tigers, a point to prove to their former employers.
The Nomads want to build on their last weekend’s scintillating 3-1 win over Mafco on Saturday when Khumbo Ng’ambi finally was granted his wish for scoring in grabbing a brace. The league championship is all Tigers and Wanderers can fight for this season.
Up the table, Big Bullets face Epac tomorrow also at Kamuzu Stadium in a game that presents the People’s Team an opportunity to leap-frog leaders Moyale Barracks who have been exempted from games this weekend.
