Africa-Press – Tanzania. As the 2022/23 campaign is underway, we take a closer look at the five new coaches.
Zoran Maki (Simba SC)
The 60-year-old was chosen by Simba SC to succeed Spaniard Pablo Franco Martin in the dugout in July.
He is a well-travelled coach having guided clubs in Algeria, Morocco, and Angola.
He has signed a one-year deal with the mandate to reclaim the Premier League title, Azam Sports Federation Cup, as well as leading Simba SC to the 2022/23 CAF Champions League semi-final.
Having failed to win the Community Shield, winning the league title is now non-negotiable for the Serbian-born coach.
He has won two of his opening games to stand at the top of the Premier League table on a superior goal difference.
Abdallah Mubiru (Mbeya City FC)
Mbeya City FC has confirmed Ugandan CAF ‘A’ licensed coach Abdallah Mubiru as their new coach for the 2022/23 campaign.
The former Uganda Cranes’ coach replaced compatriot Mathias Lule who has since left the club.
Lule has joined newly promoted Singida Big Stars FC, working as an assistant to head coach, Hans van der Pluijm.
Mubiru joins a long list of Ugandans that have had coaching stints in the Mainland Tanzania Premier League including Lule, George Ssemwogerere, Moses Basena, George ‘Best’ Nsimbe, Sam Timbe, and Jackson ‘Mia Mia’ Mayanja.
He will be assisted by another Ugandan Joseph Kiwanuka who had been part of Lule’s technical staff.
The duo will be tasked to improve on last season’s performance, which had Mbeya City FC finishing ninth.
Hans van der Pluijm (Singida Big Stars FC)
Hans van der Pluijm requires no introduction given the reputation he has built up in Tanzania.
He has had different coaching spells with Azam FC, Singida United, and Young Africans, alias Yanga.
The 73-year-old was chosen by Singida Big Stars to succeed Ramadhan Nsanzurwimo in the dugout.
In an expanded technical bench that still includes Nsanzurwimo, Nizar Khalfan, the Dutch coach would be assisted by Lule who joined the team immediately after leaving Mbeya City FC.
He has started with two wins in two outings to remain as one of only three teams that have a 100% winning record.
Having also strengthened the team with experienced players such as Meddie Kagere, Pascal Wawa, and Deus Kaseke, the well-travelled tactician feels the young players will benefit from those players.
Joslin Sharif (Polisi Tanzania FC)
Polisi Tanzania’s search for a head coach ended with the appointment of Burundian Joslin Sharif Bipfubusa.
The appointment of the former Burundi international ended rumours linking Ugandan coach Lule and Tanzanian Mecky Mexime, with Bipfubusa signing a one-year deal with the law enforcers.
Bipfubusa took over Polisi Tanzania, with the team having operated under the tutelage of local coach Malale Hamsini last season.
The 37-year-old coach joined the Moshi-based club after having a stint with Burundi champions Aigle Noir and is also Burundi national team assistant coach.
However, Shariff is still waiting for his work permit. Coach John Temba has been deputizing for Shariff on the sidelines, taking charge of the two games in the league so far, picking up one loss and a draw.
Zubeir Katwila (Ihefu SC)
Zubeir Katwila is another name that needs no introduction to followers of Tanzanian football.
Katwila joined Ihefu SC from Mtibwa Sugar in the 2020/21 mid-season but was unable to save them from relegation to the Championship.
He stuck with the team in the Championship and managed to get them promoted back to the top flight as champions ahead of another expensively assembled side, Singida Big Stars FC.
He has been given the book cheques to sign experienced players in a bid to avoid a repeat of their previous mistakes.
Ihefu SC has recruited a couple of big names who played for Yanga and Azam FC including Nicholaus Wadada, Obrey Chirwa, and Papy Tshishimbi.
However, Katwila who played for Mtibwa Sugar for a better part of his playing career is yet to register a victory with Ihefu SC following two losses in two opening matches.
He will be desperate to end Ihefu SC’s run of successive defeats when they visit Mtibwa Sugar in the next round in September.
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