Wanderers’ coach puts four on fitness programme
Mighty Wanderers’ new coach Gerald Phiri Senior, has ahead of today’s TNM Super League meeting with Red Lions at the Kamuzu Stadium, revealed that he has put four players on a special fitness regime.
Due to the fitness programme, leading striker Innocent Dzimbiri will not be available for the match, Phiri on Tuesday when asked about preparations for the Lions who held the Nomads 1-1 and lost 2-1 last season.
Phiri has also told another forward Victor Mpinganjira, Kondwani Kumwenda and defender Kondwani Lufeyo to shed some kilogrammes. The coach stressed that the fitness prescription is not witch-hunting.
“I value these players. For example, Innocent is a good striker who can help our team a lot if fitter. I need him to be able to sprint 10 to 15 metres without being exhausted. By next week, he should be available for selection. This happens elsewhere. Weight as this can affect performance and make one prone to knee injuries,” Phiri explained.
The Nomads sit second from the bottom on a point after being docked four points for perpetrating violence in a decisive league game against Silver Strikers on December 28 at Balaka Stadium.
Scoring has been Wanderers’ main challenge having just netted five. Phiri admitted that he has work cut out including introducing a new brand of football.
“I am working on coordination and also ensuring that players adopt my football philosophy which is about attacking and defending as a team; passing the ball to entertain the fans while at the same time delivering the goods,” he said.
They are up against a stubborn Lions are placed seventh on 10 points and boast a lethal attack of Loti Chawinga and Kumbukani Mwambene has registered six goals so far, one behind leading scorer Callisto Kalinda of Mafco. The Lions coach Mike Kumanga was not readily available Tuesday.
