Mighty Tigers technical director Robin Alufandika says Be Forward Wanderers are fighting a losing battle by making advances on Kau-Kau Boys’ coach Gerald Phiri.
Speaking on the issue for the first time yesterday, Alufandika, who is also Tigers’ co-owner, said: “The issue has been brought to my attention by both Gerald and some officials from Wanderers, but our stand is that our coach is going nowhere.
“Gerald is on a special contract whereby we can only release him for national duties or if there are foreign interests and not local clubs.”
The Nomads, who fired coach Bob Mpinganjira, his assistant Allan Kamanga and technical director Yasin osman, had approached Tigers after Phiri made it clear that if Wanderers wanted to get him on board, then they would have to discuss with Tigers officials as well.
“I am happy at Tigers because I have built a strong side and if Wanderers officials want me, then they need to approach my bosses,” Phiri was quoted as saying by yesterday’s edition of The Daily Times.
The Nomads executive committee was in a meeting yesterday to plan the way forward, but inside sources said reviving talks with their former Zimbabwean coach Raman Gumbo is among the alternatives.
The club’s chairperson Gift Mkandawire and general secretary Mike Butao were not available for comment.
Bob’s younger brother Albert, who is the reserve side coach, is now in charge of the main team in an acting capacity.
The Nomads were left searching their soul after two successive defeats at home. They lost to Silver Strikers 1-0 in an Airtel Top 8 quarter-final first leg before going down 1-3 to Blue Eagles in the TNM Super League. n
