Bullets, Ramadhan part ways
Push comes to shove.
Nyasa Big Bullets FC executive committee yesterday resolved to part ways with coach Nsanzurwimo Ramadhan for absconding duties.
The People’s Team general secretary Albert Chigoga yesterday confirmed the development, saying the Burundian tactician had chosen to disregard the club’s order to return to work at the end of the first round.
“We made very clear to him that should he fail to report for duties by the agreed period, we would take it that he is no longer interested.
“The second round has since started and he is still nowhere to be seen. We cannot take it any longer, we have to move on,” he said.
Asked if they made another effort to contact Ramadhan who claims to be in his native Burundi, the Bullets GS said: “I sent him another e-mail recently and he did not respond.”
On the way forward, Chigoga said the executive committee is still consulting.
“You might be aware that FAM [Football Association of Malawi] gave us the Carlsberg Cup final a cut-off point not to use Elia Kananji as our caretaker coach because he does not possess the required CAF B licence.
“Under the circumstances, we will seek FAM’s direction on the matter bearing in mind that Kananji has done exceptionally well since he took over,” he said.
The club’s main supporters committee chairperson Stone Mwamadi defended the executive committee’s move.
“They tried as much as possible to get him [Ramadhan] to return to work, but it appears he is not interested and the club cannot continue to be put at ransom,” he said.
Ramadhan could not be reached for comment yesterday.
However, last month Ramadhan apologised to the club for his failure to report for duties following the expiry of his extended leave.
Part of an e-mail which he sent to Chigoga reads: “I have been quiet for some time because of the situation I found here. I take this opportunity to inform you that I will report on August 28 2017.
“I am sorry for the inconvenience. Unfortunately it is beyond my control.”
And in response, Bullets gave him until the end of the first round to report for duties, “failure to report for duties will force the executive to advertise your position”.
In absence of Ramadhan who was reportedly attending to his sick father, Kananji has been in charge and has helped the team to win the Carlsberg Cup. Under his tutelage Bullets have won nine games and lost only once. n