Four in hat for Civo coaching post

Four familiar names have been thrown in the hat for Civo United to replace coach Alex Masanjala whom they sacked last week.

Reports have linked to the Civo job Blantyre United coach Elia Kananji, ex-Escom United coach Charles Manda, former Silver Strikers coaches Thom Mkorongo and Dan Dzinkambani. Of the four, only Kananji has confirmed Civo’s overtures.

Civo executive member Nelson Ngalonde, contacted in the absence of general secretary Rashid Ntelela, said the Civil Servants are yet to settle for one candidate. He said the decision awaits Ntelela’s return from a foreign trip.

Kananji, who has been with United since 2008, on Tuesday admitted that he was in a dilemma on whether to jump at Civo’s tempting offer.

“At United, it is more of helping the team than employment, but at Civo they are talking about work and a better offer, but again I have to analyse the environment if I can survive there for a long time. I was unable to decide last week as I was concentrating on Super League games, but now I await the input of my relatives. I have consulted them,” he said.

On Tuesday, United’s administrator Lawson Nakoma said Kananji had not expressed interest in Civo job, “but I have heard unconfirmed reports that Civo want him.”

On his part, Mkorongo on Tuesday said he was yet to be approached by Civo, but only some Silver fans whom he has since rebuffed.

Manda and Dzinkambani, separately on Tuesday and Wednesday, said they were not aware of their names being associated with the Civo job.

Civo captain Charles Beni on Wednesday said he was not aware of the identity of the new coach, but management promised to hire one by next week.