Mkolongo aims high for Civo
Newly appointed Civo United head coach Tom Mkolongo has said he set himself targets of winning silverware this season.
“In addition to the Super League, there are many cups [Carlsberg Cup, the Presidential Initiative for Sports and Standard Bank Knockout Trophy] to fight for and win,” said Mkolongo on Monday.
Civo United, have resolved to elevate Mkolongo to take over the mantle with an American as his prospective deputy.
Civo general secretary Rashid Ntelela refused to disclose the assistant’s identity, but confirmed that Mkolongo emerged successful in interviews held on Sunday.
“He is a foreigner. He will come to my office to see whether he would, having attended interviews for the head coach position, take up the assistant coach position. After the meeting, we can announce his name,” Ntelela said on Monday.
He also said Civo executive committee, which was not in charge of the interviews, will meet Mkolongo before sealing a contract likely to be for two years. Ntelela said it was early to talk about targets.
“We have our output and deliverables, but he has to tell us his position on the contract. There are times a prospective employee may have a say on how he is comfortable to work. For us to be fair to him, we first need to discuss with him before we go public,” he said.
The Nation understands that a Malawian, until recently based in South Africa, was among the final three short-listed for the interviews which the club’s vice-chairperson Dean Josiah Banda reportedly chaired.
Club captain Charles Beni welcomed the retention of Mkolongo who replaced sacked veteran Alex Masanjala late last season, saying “he stands to build on the foundation he laid when he took over”.
