Africa-Press – Malawi. Silver Strikers’ hunt for a new coach has taken a new twist as Zimbabwean coach Norman Mapeza, Lovemore Fazili, Alex Ngwira and two other local coaches have been lined up for the vacant post.
The development means Mapeza, Fazili and Ngwira have joined Black Leopards coach Peter Mponda as potential replacements for Pieter de Jongh, whose tenure came to an end last week.
However, Mponda is still the favourite to take over at the Central Bankers despite concerns from a section of the team’s fans. Silver Chief Executive Officer Patrick Chimimba, while confirming that several coaches are being considered for the job, refused to disclose their identities.
“I have received a lot of enquiries from coaches from Europe and South Africa but we are considering our options. We want to get a serial winner and coach who understands our football,” Chimimba said.
Apart from Fazili and Ngwira, Etison Kadenge, who is still contracted to Silver, has emerged as another option for the vacant job. However, Chimimba said the Central Bankers are expected to start preparations next week under the tutelage of assistant coach Peter Mgangira.
“The process of hiring a new coach might take time and, as such, Mgangira and the rest of technical panel members will be in charge of the team,” he said.
However, it will be hard for Silver to convince Mapeza to leave FC Platinum in Zimbabwe, as he is still contracted to them. Mapeza, who is a childhood friend of FCB Nyasa Big Bullets Coach Kalisto Pasuwa, said he is committed to Platinum.
“I still have a contract with Platinum but do not rule me out in the near future. The possibilities are very much there,” the former Warriors coach said.
Mapeza, who also had a stint with Chippa United in South Africa, has won three Premier Soccer League titles with Platinum in Zimbabwe. On his part, Mponda refused to comment on speculation linking him with Silver.
“I will comment at an appropriate time,” he said.
For Fazili, who guided the Malawi National Women’s Football Team, the Scorchers, to win the 2023 Cosafa Women’s Championship, is also rated highly at Silver and has been earmarked for a possible return.
Fazili, who has a contract with Fam as Scorchers coach, was not available for a comment. Taking his turn, Ngwira said he was ready for any challenge. “I am available for any team. I do not have concrete offers,” he said.
Silver finished the 2023 season empty-handed. They finished as runners-up to Bullets in the TNM Super League and the Castel Challenge Cup. The Bankers have gone 10 consecutive seasons without winning the TNM Super League title.
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