Africa-Press – Eswatini. AMBITIOUS MTN Premier League outfit Nsingizini Hotspurs have since enlisted the services of experienced Malawian mentor Gerald Phiri Sr.
This comes after the club’s initial candidate Meck Mwase and Phiri’s fellow countryman could not join them due to his other engagements with a former employer in Malawi.
Phiri will arrive in the country early next week to assume his new position at the Shiselweni based outfit which recently acquired the top flight status of Vovovo FC. Nsingizini Hotspurs President Derrick Shiba travelled to Malawi to seal the deal. Shiba said the coach signed a two-year contract. “As a team we are delighted to announce the appointment of Gerald Phiri Sr as our head coach,” confirmed Shiba.
The team’s Marketing and Communications Director Mphikeleli Dlamini said they were happy to have a coach of Phiri’s calibre.
“We have decided to rope in Phiri because of his coaching knowledge and experience. Phiri has coached at all levels from juniors to the Malawi national team. He is a coach whose style of play fits our philosophy. We are confident that Phiri will execute his duties diligently,” he said. Phiri will be assisted by former Seven Dreams coach Tobias Ntuli, who is currently drilling the green and white ensemble alongside physical trainer Siza ‘King Pele’ Dlamini and goalkeeper coach Njabuliso Simelane.
Phiri has previously worked as a head coach for the Malawi senior national side and also served as head coach for Blue Eagles and TNM Stars. His man-management as a disciplinarian approach is said to have been one of the key factors behind his appointment while his youth development record is something Nsingizini are keen to make use of with the club notably on a drive for young talent across the country.
“I would like to take this opportunity to welcome Phiri to the Nsingizini Hotspurs family. We are very excited to have him in our team, and we believe he will assist us in achieving the goals that we have set for ourselves as a team. we wish him well in this journey,” said Dlamini.
This marks a bold move for the Nsingizini Hotspurs hierarchy who would have been disappointed after missing out on automatic promotion, having initially looked set to challenge for a top finish as they won the first round in the NFD. The team has roped in Phiri in an attempt to build a sustainable model of success at top flight level.
‘Insingizi Yezulu’ began last season like a house on fire, winning a number of games, a run that saw them win the first round.
However, a second round capitulation saw them losing a number of games, contributing to a spiral down the log and eventually finishing fourth, a position they felt could be built upon.
“Next season we will do much better, the club has done well coming into the league from the NFD and finishing fourth. Therefore, the next step is to compete in the elite league and from what I have seen in terms of attitude and work ethic from the staff, I think we have enough to fight in the premier league,” Dlamini said.
For More News And Analysis About Eswatini Follow Africa-Press
