Lwandamina hits ground running

AMBIAN tactician George Lwandamina’s Young Africans reign officially kicked off yesterday when he took charge of his first training session as the club’s new head coach.

THE Mainland Premier League defending champions got back to business yesterday after a mid season break with Lwandamina able to see much of his new squad at the Police Kurasini Grounds in Dar es Salaam.

After weeks of speculations, Yanga confirmed Lwandamina as new head coach and elevating immediate trainer, Hans Van der Pluijm to the position of Technical Director and in charge of all football matters related to the club.

The Zambian and former Zesco United trainer, Lwandamina, was officially unveiled to the media at the weekend after agreeing to a two-year deal. Lwandamina, who was accompanied in training by his predecessor Van der Pluijm, was seen in a lively mood as he oversaw his first training session, putting his players though their paces.

Lwandamina has already hinted that he will not make any big changes in the current squad and technical staff. The Zambian expressed confidence of being a success at the club, despite admitting that he has a difficult task ahead to ensure the team maintains its performance to retain the Mainland Premier League title.

“I have been given a difficult task ... but this is part of new challenge, which I am ready to face at the best of my ability, to ensure the team do better and this can be achieved with support from everyone in the club,” he said.

Six players were absent in training namely; Donald Ngoma, Haruna Niyonzima, Beno Kakolanya, Hassan Kessy, Malimi Busungu and Vicent Bossou. Zambian striker Ngoma and Ivorian defender Bosou are said to be seeking a move away from the Jangwani Street-based side.

However, Young Africans team manager, Hafidhi Salehe said the foreign duo and the other four were not present due to family problems. “We have smoothly started training under new coach Lwandamina, but full training starts tomorrow (today), six players were missing since they have got family problems,” Salehe said.

Meanwhile, reports claims that Zesco’s midfielder Justin Zulu is on verge of joining his former coach Lwandamina at Yanga. The Zambian is said to be a huge admirer of the midfielder and wants him to boost the midfield option of his new team.

Yanga have failed to bring another Zesco player Meshack Chaila who still had a long contract with the Zambian outfit. Zulu has a lot of experience playing for different clubs in Israel including Hapoel Beer Shiva and PSL side Golden Arrows. He made his national team debut in 2011.

Source: Daily News