Nyathi appointed Flamingoes coach

SHINGIRAI MADONDO
Correspondent | Friday January 25, 2013 00:00

Flamingoes had no substantive coach since 2011 and one of their senior players was serving as a player/coach in the last season. Nyathi, who once served as the Motlakase Power Dynamos head coach, has signed a three-year deal with the soda ash miners.

The 44-year-old gaffer left Motlakase under acrimonious circumstances after he was demoted to assistant coach when the team gained promotion to the elite league. Bashi Joseph, the Flamingoes' chairperson, confirmed the development. Joseph said the management and the rest of the Flamingoes' family have faith in the Zimbabwean-born mentor to transform the team into a formidable side. 'Nyathi has got the knowledge of the local football both at lower division and Premier League levels. He served as a head coach and assistant coach. It is against this backdrop that we have got hope, trust and confidence in him,' said Joseph.

Joseph said Nyathi has got a mandate to accomplish. According to Joseph, the shrewd coach is expected to assemble a winning squad this season and finish the ongoing league in a respectable position. 'In his second year of the contract, he is expected to take the team to the Premier League. The management will do everything within its power and ensure that the environment is conducive for the coach,' he said.

Accepting the deal, Nyathi promised to work very hard and deliver the mandate. Nyathi said he would want to work independently without 'unnecessary interference.' Nyathi said Flamingoes are an ambitious side with a promising future.  He said it is inspiring to work with an ambitious side as one is always encouraged to go an extra mile in order to achieve a lot.

'The players are responding well. And the good thing at Flamingoes is that there are experienced players with premier league experience.  A mixture of experience and talent will help us attain our mandate,' said Nyathi. Flamingoes have Kemmonye Elijah in their books. Elijah is an experienced player and once turned out for the now defunct Boteti Young Fighters and TAFIC.