De jongh, others under scrutiny

Silver Strikers are assessing the performance of their head coach Pieter de Jongh and others based on the targets they were given.

The Reserve Bank of Malawi-sponsored outfit’s chief executive officer Patrick Chimimba said in an interview that the assessment will help determine the coaches’ future.

He said: “Our technical sub-committee is assessing the performance of all our teams.

“They will scrutinise the technical reports from the coaches and then make  recommendations.

“It is a fact that we did not win anything, but the committee will assess whether or not the targets were met.”

On his part, the Dutch coach, who has about 14 months left on his contract, said he is not losing his sleep over the issue.

In an interview from Kenya where he is on holiday, De Jongh said: “As I said, I would like to see out my contract. I have already submitted my plans to the board.

“I have also indicated the challenges we faced such as the absence of [Chimwemwe] Idana  in seven games, our preparations being distracted by the national team engagements as well as the failure to sign the players I recommended. So, I believe all these aspects will be taken into consideration.

“I will be returning to Malawi on the 28th of January and we’ll start our preparations for the [2024] season on the 29th.

“That is why I did not commit to the Moroccan club because I want to respect my contract. My aim now is to win the league. I love the country, my players, the supporters and my support staff.”

De Jongh has come under scrutiny after failing to meet the crucial targets that were set for him, including winning the TNM Super League title and at least two cups.

The Central Bankers finished as runners-up in the league to FCB Nyasa Bullets whom they trailed by three points. 

In cups, Silver reached the final of the Ibongetse Castel Cup and the semi-final of  Zamadolo Airtel Top 8 while in the FDH Bank Cup, they failed to make it past the round of 16.

But football analyst Kevin Moyo said despite failing to win any silverware, there was notable improvement in Silver’s overall performance.

He said: “They played with shape and aggression in the just-ended season and that is why they trailed Bullets by only three points, it shows that the gap was bridged.

“They also reached the final of one cup in which they lost on penalties. His [De Jongh] only problem was washing dirty linen in public by accusing his bosses of not giving him the players he wanted.”

The Central Bankers have been linked with South African second-tier league side Black Leopards coach Peter Mponda.

The other coaches under assessment are reserve and women’s teams coaches McDonald Yobe and Andrew Chikhosi, respectively, while the youth team coach Leo Mpulula resigned at the end of the season.