Nyasa Big Bullets have tied their Zimbabwean coach Kalisto Pasuwa to a long-term three-year deal as he intensifies his drive to rebuild the team.
The development is a departure from the past arrangement when he would commit to one year deals.
The People’s Team vice-president Fleetwood Haiya said yesterday in that considering that the focus will be on rebuilding the team, they have not set any significant targets for Pasuwa this season.
He said: “For this season, we do not want to put him under much pressure, knowing he has just started an ambitious rebuilding project, having released 12 senior players.
“Nevertheless, reaching the CAF Champions League group stage would be a bonus should we get an approval from the board to participate.
“But from next season onwards, we will expect him to guide the team to the group stages of the Champions League.”
Haiya said on the local scene, they expect Pasuwa, who has led the team to three successive Super League titles, to at least win a silverware this season.
He also said under the new contract, Pasuwa has been tasked to oversee all clubs, namely the main, reserve, women’s, Under-20 and Under-15 teams.
Pasuwa was quoted by the club’s Facebook page as having said he was excited to have signed a long-term deal.
He said: “Working with Bullets has been exciting and we have a project to build the team around youngsters and we hope for the best in the year.”
On the long-term commitment, his local representative Felix Ngamaya Sapao attributed it to the good working relationship his client has with Bullets.
He said: “The offer was also good and he just had to accept. In any case, why look elsewhere when you are being looked after properly?”
Sapao thanked the club’s board, particularly Haiya, Escort Chinula and Demo Kalaitzis for their understanding.
“It took sometime to negotiate the contract, but at the end of the day, all partners were happy,” he said.
On the set targets, Sapao said they are only sceptical on winning the title this season.
He said: “For the next two seasons there is no problem, but for the current one, we are sceptical because the coach has just started his project to build a new team.
“It’s going on well at the moment as the players are blending well, but pressure could take a toll as we go along.”
Sapao also disclosed that struggling Zimbabwean Premier Soccer League giants, Dynamos FC, whom Pasuwa led to four straight league titles, had reportedly also approached their former coach to consider a return to Dembare, but he settled for Bullets.
“They [Dynamos] have always wanted him back,” he said.
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