Kukoma to fund Diamonds’ drive
Capital Oil Refining Industries (Cori), sponsors of Kukoma Diamonds, have committed to bankroll the team’s drive to beef up their squad ahead of the new season.
Despite sweeping all silverware last season, Diamonds have said they will not sit on their laurels and will invade the market to strengthen their squad further.
Diamonds coach, Griffin Saenda, hinted that the team would beef up the squad with two players.
“We do not want to create the comfort zone mentality because it affects the hunger and commitment.
Phiri (L) receives uniform from Diamonds team manager Sella Mwafulirwa-Ligowe (C)[/caption
“We are still assessing players that we intend to sign. Once we are through, we will advise our officials to open transfer talks and also alert our sponsor to bankroll the transfer,” he said.
Diamonds general secretary Chimwemwe Bakali said they are optimistic that they will build a strong team again this season.
“Our sponsors [Cori] have assured us that even if it means breaking the transfer fee for the right player they will do so. However, we will not be deceived to pump in large sums of money for a player who can’t add value to the team,” he said.
Cori human resources and risk assessment manager Alex Chisiyano said the company wants Diamonds to defend all the trophies it won last season, hence the need to bankroll the team on the transfer market.
“We take pride in the trophies they win. So, we have assured them that we will support them to get the players of their choice. As a winning brand, we will ensure we buy good players,” he said.
Last season, Diamonds signed goal defender Annabel Phiri from Lameck Queens at a record fee of K600 000, smashing their own transfer record of K350 000 which they paid to Tigresses for Carol Mtukule-Ngwira when she switched from Tigresses.
