Nomads hire expatriate TD

Mighty Mukuru Wanderers FC have hired an expatriate technical director (TD) Mark Harrison barely days after the 4-0 humiliation they suffered at the hands of their age-old rivals Nyasa Big Bullets in the semi-finals of the FDH Bank Cup.

Confirming the hiring of the new TD, who has replaced Eddingtone Ngónamo, Nomads chairperson for public relations and media liaison, Clement Stambuli, said the 61-year-old has been hired on a two-year contract with effect from October 1 and will head the technical panel, including overseeing the reserve and youth teams.

He said: “Harrison has vast experience both as a tactician and a former player.

“He played football at top level in Europe as a goalkeeper and has coached a number of top teams both in Europe and on the continent.”

Harrison’s track record includes stints as goalkeeper coach for English Premiership side Everton where he also coached their Under-23 side and Champion.

Among others, in Africa he has coached Caps United in Zimbabwe, Mpumalanga Black Aces, Chipa United and Golden Arrows in South Africa, Township Rollers in Botswana and more recently Gor Mahia in Kenya.

His notable achievements include winning the Botswana top-flight league with Rollers in 2016 and winning the Chibuku Super Cup with Harare City in Zimbabwe in 2017.

Stambuli said his main target will be to create proper developmental structures for the youth and reserve sides which should translate to the success of the senior team.

“We want to see proper transition. Mark will also be actively involved with the senior team in an advisory role,” he said.

In an interview from Cape Town yesterday, the Briton said he is excited with his new challenge.

Said Harrison: “I am absolutely excited and I can’t wait to get started, I am just waiting to tie up a few things.

“The club has got its ambitions and there have been changes in the recent past.

“Obviously, I need to watch a few games and get an idea of where we are and bring in European model and mentality.”

He also said his immediate task will be to improve the standards of play as well as the coaching staff.

On what he makes of the Nomads’ chances to chase for the title, Harrison said: “Realistically, it would be a far-fetched dream to think of the title.

“You are talking about a team [Nyasa Big Bullets] that has not lost a game and there is a 15-point gap and that would mean hoping that they lose five and we win all games. It’s crazy, it’s unrealistic, it’s not going to happen. We have to be planning for next season.”

The Nomads are sixth with 37 points from 20 matches while the People’s Team top the table with 52 points from the same number of games.

On Ng’onamo, Stambuli said he has seen out his year-long contract.

However, in an interview yesterday, Ng’onamo expressed ignorance on the hiring of a new TD, saying he is still contracted to the Nomads. He said: “I have not heard anything pertaining to that from the club. Maybe it is mere speculation because there have been a lot of unsubstantiated rumours. After all, why would they replace me?”