SANGALA JOINS AZAM TIGERS
Former Flames captain James Sangala will relaunch his career at Azam Tigers having agreed terms of a contract.
Sangala said he started training with Kau-Kau on Monday ahead of his signing a contract today or tomorrow.
“Basically, we have agreed on the terms and what remains is to finalise paperwork. I settled for Tigers because I will be under less pressure compared to big teams such as [Mighty] Wanderers and Big Bullets.
Tigers’ training venue [Country Club Limbe] is also close to my workplace which will make it easier for me to juggle the two,” said Sangala, who works as liaison officer for the Football Association of Malawi (FAM).
He also said the other reason he joined Kau-Kau is because of their professional set-up in terms of team management.
“They also have a committed youthful squad which I want to help in terms of encouragement,” he said.
Tigers’ chairperson Sydney Chikoti confirmed signing Sangala, saying with his experience he will be vital in bolstering the team.
“The crucial factor is that we have a young team and he will be a good mentor. When I and Robin [Alufandika] were at Wanderers as chairperson and team manager respectively, James was the captain and his sober habits and high-level of discipline were a marvel.
“He had good leadership skills and we believe he will be able to inspire other players,” said Chikoti. The Tigers chairperson also said playing for Tigers will help Sangala regain full fitness.
FAM chief executive officer Suzgo Nyirenda said an agreement was already reached with Sangala on how he will marry the two.
“It all has to do with dividing his time properly so that his playing career should not clash with his job,” he said.
However, this is in contrast to what he said about the association’s former employee Charles Manda whose request to assist Wanderers on part time, was rejected. Manda was eventually fired for what FAM described as insubordination and abscondment.
Sangala announced his retirement from the Flames soon after the 2014 World Cup qualifier against Nigeria’s Super Eagles last September only to rescind his decision in March and has been training with the Flames.
He started his career at Wanderers Youth before earning promotion to the senior team. He then clinched a deal with South African club Thanda Royal Zulu and later signed for Angolan top side Primeiro de Agusto.
He was also a key member of the Flames squad that qualified for the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations in Angola where he meshed with the then captain Peter Mponda as central defenders. Caption: Set to start a new lease of life at Tigers.
