Lovemore Zigara in Gweru
ZIFA Central Soccer League (CSL) side Midlands State University (MSU) has started the hunt for a new coach after indicating that John Phiri’s contract that expires at the end of this month will not be renewed.
Phiri guided the Varsity Sharks to a sixth place finish in the Central Region Division One League with 50 points, 16 points adrift of eventual winners Shabanie Mine.
However, his paymasters were not satisfied with his performance and MSU sports director James Muvirimi Chivivi told Chronicle Sport that the club’s executive committee would meet next month to decide on a new coach.
“We had a performance based contract with Phiri and judging by the results of the just-ended season, he did not meet our expectations and we will therefore not be renewing his contract,” said Chivivi.
“The executive committee is going to sit at the beginning of the year to come up with modalities of hiring a new coach. We are looking for a coach that is able to work with the students because we want to run away from a system where the bulk of our players are not students.”
Phiri confirmed that his contract ends this year but said he was not aware his paymasters were not happy with his performance.
“It is true that my contract ends at the end of this year, but I am yet to speak with the executive on the way forward,” said Phiri.
The former Shabanie Mine coach has been linked to Border Strikers and Blanket Mine.
Indications are that former MSU coach Themba Chingwena, who was forced to step down for Phiri, would assume the reins at the varsity side.
Chingwena was first demoted to assistant coach and later pushed out because he did not have the requisite qualifications to coach in Division One as per the new Zifa requirements.