Ramadhan gets second chance
Burundian coach Nsanzurwimo Ramadhan has a chance to prove his worth at Mighty Mukuru Wanderers almost 22 years after his unsuccessful stint at Lali Lubani Road in 2001.
The Nomads yesterday announced a new technical panel headed by the former FCB Nyasa Bullets coach on a season-long deal.
Ramadhan’s assistant is former Flames coach Meck Mwase, who also played for Wanderers twice, his first stint being towards the late 1980s and then the late 1990s while the club’s legend and former coach Yasin ‘Tich’ Osman returns as technical director.
Stevie Madeira is also back to his roots as team manager while Simplex Nthala and Levi Mwale have been maintained as goalkeeper coach and team doctor, respectively.
In an interview yesterday, Mighty Wanderers Football Club 2021 Limited task force on recruitment chairperson Tiya Somba-Banda said the contracts have an option for renewal “depending on performance”.
He said Ramadhan is currently coaching Tanzanian Premier League outfit Ihefu, who are 11th in the 16-team top-flight with 16 points from 15 matches, 24 points behind leaders Young Africans, half way the contest.
Nomads president Thomson Mpinganjira, who is also the board chairperson, reiterated that the target for the new panel is to win the league title and at least two cups.
Said the business mogul and philanthropist: “Nothing has changed, no time to bask in the sun. The expectation is for them to win the league and two cups if they are to be considered for extension, nothing less.”
Ramadhan could not be reached for comment yesterday while Mwase said he is excited to take up the new challenge.
He said: “I’m happy to be heading back where I started my career as a player and I am thankful to the Nomads board for entrusting me to be part of the team to bring back the lost glory at the club.”
Mwase, who until recently was head coach for e-Swatini Premier League side Nsingizini Hotspurs, also said he has no problems working as an assisnt coach.
On his part, Osman said it is time to turn around the fortunes of the oldest club in the land.
He said: “For some time, the team has been moving in third gear instead of the fourth gear. We seem to be comfortable with finishing second or third and the mindset has to change.
“We have experienced coaches in Ramadhan and Meck and if we can bring in discipline, then we should be in cruise control.”
Ramadhan had a successful romance with FCB Nyasa Bullets, then Bata Bullets, between 1997 and 2001, guiding them to three Super League titles on the trot before crossing the great divide to the Nomads camp where he failed to make a significant impact.
He had a second stint with Bullets in 2015 which was also insignificant.
About 30 coaches, including three locals applied for the Nomads job which fell vacant following the resignation of British coach Mark Harrison.
The Nomads finished last season empty-handed.
Meanwhile, Bob Mpinganjira remains at the helm of the Nomads’ reserve side assisted by Safalao Pompi with Lawrence Majawa as team manager and Samuel Matukuta as assistant team doctor.
George Sangala has also been maintained as the youth team head coach and will be deputised by Darlingtone Misereni.
