Government seeks advice on Kinnah

Government has asked for advice from its Department of Human Resources (DHR)  on how to proceed with the issue of its employee Kinnah Phiri, who has reportedly been hired as assistant coach for struggling PSL side Free State Stars in South Africa.

Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Youth and Sports Justin Saidi yesterday said they are now aware that Kinnah has been employed by Stars.

“Government laws do not allow its employee to have another job. We have referred the matter to relevant authorities for their perusal,” said Saidi.

Kinnah confirmed through Free State Stars website having started his new role, saying he was delighted to be back at the club.

“Bethlehem is like a second home to me,” Kinnah told the website.

He added: “The people here are friendly and they have welcomed me with open arms.”

The former Flames coach, who took up his new role under interim coach Themba Sithole, had two previous stints at the club—one of which he steered the side to a fifth-place finish in the league.

Kinnah expressed confidence that the 14th-placed Ea Lla Koto, who parted ways with coach Steve Komphela at the start of the month, can turn their season around.

“Stars does not belong in the bottom half of the table. We can still turn things around,” said the 59-year-old tactician.

Stars finished the year with a match against Moroka Swallows last Monday.

Kinnah believes the Ea Lla Koto have good players and that he and Sithole have a good understanding of each other as they have worked together before.