30 apply for Nomads job

Mighty Mukuru Wanderers have said 30 coaches, including three locals have applied for the position of the team’s head coach that fell vacant following the resignation of Briton Mark Harrison on Christmas Eve.

The Nomads acting chief executive officer Roosevelt Mpinganjira said in an interview yesterday that out of the 30, at least half of the applicants are from Europe.

He said: “I would say the first phase of the short-isting was already done, which was the removal of applications that did not meet requirements.

“The remaining applications have since been sent to the club president [Thomson Mpinganjira] for his perusal and we will take it up from there.”

On how soon they want to have a new coach on board, Roosevelt Mpinganjira said: “As soon as yesterday. In fact, it is the club president’s wish that we should have a coach in place as soon as possible so that he starts preparing the team for next season.

“But we need to identify someone who will meet the club’s expectations.”

On his part, the club’s president Thomson Mpinganjira, who was responsible for Harrison’s perks believed to have been about $4 500 (K7.65 million) a month, said they are looking for a result-oriented coach “with a proven track record who will be able transform the team into a highly competitive side”.

In the advert posted on the club’s Facebook Page 11 days ago, the Nomads stated that they were looking for a highly motivated, committed and disciplined coach with proven hands-on football coaching knowledge and experience.

The responsibilities listed included leading training sessions, providing motivation during games, developing game plans, attending tryouts and scheduling meetings.

The minimum qualification for applicants was CAF A or its equivalent licence.

Another requirement was  verifiable achievements for the past five years, including winning a national league title and at least two cups.

But football pundit Charles Nyirenda said the first step the Nomads need to do is review last season.

He said: “Wanderers must start by assessing the prevailing situation and review what hasn’t been going right.

“Once that is diagnosed, then a determination can be made whether to hire an expatriate coach or seek a local trainer who has knowledge of local football dynamics.”

The Nomads finished the 2023 season empty-handed despite  business mogul and philanthropist Thomson Mpinganjira spending over K30 million on buying players recommend by Harrison, who was given a target to win the league and at least two cups.

The players included Gaddie Chirwa, Christopher Kumwembe and Mphatso Kamanga.