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| Sports |
| Kinnah courts Silver Strikers |
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by
Leonard Sharra, 27 January 2005
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11:02:35
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As things continue falling apart at Bakili Bullets there are some indications that captain of the ship— coach Kinnah Phiri— might also abandon the sinking vessel.
He is seeking comfort at Silver Strikers a team on the brink of getting three senior players from the Bullets.
The former Flames’ legendary striker, who led Bullets to the Caf Champions League group play-offs last year, has handed in his curriculum vitae (CV) at the Reserve Bank outfit.
The team is looking for an experienced coach to fill the vacancy left by coach Davie Mpesi who was left out in the cold by the bankers after the expiry of his one-year contract.
Unconfirmed reports from the central bank say the Bullets’ coach first had discussions with Silver officials who eventually asked for his CV.
Silver’s vice chairman Patrick Uka confirmed the coach handed in his CV.
“Yes we have his CV. That’s all I can say for now,” said Uka.
Contacted for his side Kinnah said he handed in his CV to make sure he is not caught off guard should things not work well at Bullets.
“It is a normal procedure.. One can drop CVs everywhere. I am not leaving Bullets only that I don’t want to start from afresh should things not work well for me at Bullets. At the moment I am waiting for the new executive. The outgoing executive has been talking through the papers instead of discussing issues with me first.
“If I fail to reach an agreement with the incoming executive, I will now seek new fortunes not only at Silver Strikers but any other team that may be interested in me,” said Kinnah.
Kinnah has been at loggerheads with the outgoing Bullets’ executive which made it clear in the press that the club would not afford to pay the coach’s package after using the K15m ($138,888) sponsorship from its sponsor Bakili Muluzi.
The sponsorship was meant for five years and the former president has made it clear that he will only release ‘starter pack’ sponsorship for the new season.
The possibility of losing a coach is the latest of the ever piling troubles for the Bullets. The team’s financial status has reached a critical point that supporters and players are now funding the club with personal resources like money and vehicles to enable the team travel to friendlies in preparation for the new season.
Last season the Bullets were one of the best funded teams on the continent. They enjoyed sound sponsorship from Muluzi who pumped in millions of kwachas. He went on to bankroll the team during the continental Caf Champions League showcase.
But suddenly the Bullets, who finished among the top eight in the continental competition, are struggling to make ends meet.
The team is on the brink of losing some of its key players namely Emmanuel Chipatala and Dick Malidadi who are also intending to join Silver Strikers. There are also indications that former Bullets captain, Peter Mponda, may also join the team.
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