Reshuffle at Nomads
Be Forward Wanderers has unveiled plans to hire a new coach, a development that will lead to incumbent Bob Mpinganjira being relegated to an assistant coach.
Nomads chairperson Gift Mkandawire also says the club will scrape off the technical director’s position currently occupied by seasoned tactician Yasin ‘Titch’ Osman.
“The move was already agreed by the executive committee and what we are waiting for now is the board of trustees’ approval.
“Once they [board] give us the go-ahead, then we will be good to go,” he said.
Mkandawire said the move is aimed at strengthening their coaching panel ahead of the 2019 season.
“This has been done after a thorough review of the technical panel setup as well as our performance last season,” said Mkandawire.
On whether Osman and Mpinganjira have already been informed about the impending changes, the Nomads’ boss said: “Not officially. We haven’t engaged them directly on the matter, but they are aware.”
Mpinganjira, who guided the Nomads to Fisd Challenge Cup glory and runners-up slots in TNM Super League and Carlsberg Cup last season, could not be reached for comment yesterday.
But Osman said he is not aware of the proposed changes.
“Honestly, that is all news to me. They haven’t told us anything to that effect. I would have expected them to brief us first.
“Anyway, we will just have to wait and see what happens next,” he said.
A fortnight ago, Mkandawire told The Nation that only Mpinganjira and team manager Stevie Madeira are assured of contract extensions while the positions of Osman and assistant team manager Allan Kamanga, who doubles as assistant coach, would be reviewed.
Meanwhile, a well-placed source confided in The Nation that after failing to agree terms with former Nyasa Big Bullets mentor Nsanzurwimo Ramadhan, who also had an unsuccessful short stint with the Lali Lubani Road outfit at one point, the Nomads are now courting their former Zimbabwean coach Rahman Gumbo.
“The move to hire Ramadhan fell through because the executive committee felt they could not meet the package that he was demanding, including two return air tickets to Burundi per season.
“They have now turned to Gumbo and negotiations are currently underway,” said the source.
Mkandawire confirmed the development, saying they are hopeful that Gumbo—who led the Nomads to Super League glory in 2006—will accept their offer.
“There is nothing concrete yet, but it looks promising,” he said.
