Ramadhan leaves Bullets in suspense
Burundian coach Nsanzurwimo Ramadhan’s prospective second coming to Big Bullets hangs in the balance as he has not committed himself to the job.
He told a press briefing in Blantyre yesterday that he will have to consult his family after Bullets countered his initial offer reportedly to be in excess of K1.1 million (US$2 707) monthly salary. Bullets are reported to have set the ball rolling with a K300 000 (US$737) offer during an executive meeting held Sunday evening.
Dressed in a black shirt with rolled sleeves, a stripped black pair of trousers and a brown pair of shoes, Ramadhan said he needs to travel back to his base in South Africa to consult his family before coming up with a decision.
“A contract is a process and I have not signed yet. BB made an offer and I made a counter-offer. So, I have asked them to give me time to enable me to consult my family and I hope I will be with BB,” said Ramadhan.
Asked why he could not consult his family from here considering that the new season is just around the corner, Ramadhan appearing free and easy said: “[But] as a family man, I have a responsibility to respect my family. They have the right to be involved in what I am doing and where I am going.
“They are my number one supporter, therefore, they are part of this.”
He played down the issue of having little time to get to know his charges and opponents, saying he has been in the field long enough to lose his sleep over that.
Ramadhan also said the People’s Team has lost the grip that made them into a force on the domestic scene.
“If I were to return, my task would be to rejuvenate the team into a formidable force it once was,” he said.
On when he is most likely to come up with a decision, he said: “As soon as possible.”
On whether Bullets will be able to sustain Ramadhan’s stay in the country, club chairperson Kondi Msungama said: “I would like to assure the BB family that this team is not poor, it is the mindset. You cannot have an estimated six million followers and be poor.”
Msungama said while there was a stalemate, they met half-way during the discussions and he is 80 percent certain of acquiring Ramadhan’s signature.
The Burundian coached Bullets between 1996 and 2001 and stirred them to three league championships before they parted ways.
He was later engaged by Mighty Wanderers where he was also removed unceremoniously.
Meanwhile, Msungama claims talks with Blantyre United coach Elia Kananji are at an advanced stage and they have asked him to resign honourably before taking up his new task as co-assistant coach.
“We have had a sound working relationship with Blantyre United and we would not want to disappoint them by taking short cuts. We want to handle Elia’s issue professionally,” said Msungama.
