National Sports

Itaye Nundwe hangs up boots

After an industrious 11-year top-flight football playing career, Silver Strikers defender and caretaker coach Itaye Nundwe has decided to quit the game to concentrate on full-time coaching.

This comes a day after Silver Strikers indicated that they would offer Nundwe and fellow caretaker coach midfielder Hellings Mwakasungula and caretaker team manager goalkeeper Sibusiso Padambo full-time contracts.

The three guided Silver to the 2011/2012 TNM Super League championship.

But Mwakasungula has said he is yet to decide on whether to continue playing or not.

On the other hand, Padambo has said he will consider doubling the roles if offered the contract.

Nundwe, 31, said in an interview yesterday that he feels for a new a challenge.

“I have proved that I can do well in coaching and I think it is time to give it a try with all my effort. So, I am ready to accept a full-time coaching post here at Silver and I plan to enrol for a coaching course soon,” he said.

Nundwe thanked the Silver family for supporting him during his 11-year stay at the club.

“The fans, the management and the players have really shown respect in my services. That is why I have played for this club for such a long time. In fact, I am the only surviving member of the squad I found in 2000,” he said.

Mwakasungula said he has to consult his family as well as the team’s management before deciding on the matter.

“I have to discuss it with management first. I still feel I should continue but, on the other hand, I feel like concentrating on coaching. I do not want to rush in making decisions, then regret, but to be frank, I am in a dilemma,” he said.

Padambo said: “I will combine. I think at this stage I still have some more three seasons to play at top level. Silver just has to buy another goalkeeper as currently I am second-choice.”

Silver chairperson Dr McDonald Mafuta-Mwale could not be reached for comment on the matter.

He, however, told The Daily Times on Tuesday that the club will offer the three permanent contracts.

Super League of Malawi’s minimum coaching qualification is a CAF Class C licence.

FAST FACTS

—The three were appointed caretakers last November after Dan Dzinkambani’s suspension.

—They found the team on position 11, but ended up winning Super League championship last Saturday.

—Nundwe joined Silver in 2000 from Green Buffaloes of Mzimba

—Nundwe was a Flames regular [between 2001 and 2006] under expatriate coaches Kim Splidsboel, Allan Gillette and Burkhard Ziesse.

—Mwakasungula joined Silver in 2001 from disbanded Michiru Castles.

—He left for South Africa in 2007 where he played for Moroka Swallows and Santos before returning home last year.

—He was a Flames regular from 2008 until October 2010.

—He played at the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations where he won the man of the match award in the Flames 3-0 win over Algeria.

—Padambo joined Silver in 2001 from Double Bees.

—At Silver, the three won the 2002 BP8, 2007 Standard Bank Cup, 2008, 2009 and TNM Super League championship.

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