Rodgers Yasin, Elia Kananji share emotions
Newly-appointed Nyasa Big Bullets interim Coach, Rodgers Yasin, and demoted Elia Kananji exchanged handshakes and hugs after the People’s Team had started their TNM Super League second-round campaign with a 2-0 victory over Chitipa United at Chilomoni Stadium on Saturday.
Yasin was appointed on Friday, six days after Kananji led Bullets to the Carlsberg Cup glory following a 5-3 post-match penalty win over rivals Be Forward Wanderers in Lilongwe.
Kananji is a holder of Caf C-Licence which falls short of the minimum Caf B-Licence qualification, which Football Association of Malawi set for Super League head coaches.
Yasin, a holder of Caf A-Licence, gave a measured comment after the game, describing Kananji as his son.
“We spent time together at Escom United where he used to play for me. To me, Elia is like a son so it is good to be with him,” he said.
Yasin said he had inherited a good team and vowed to maintain the standards which Kananji set.
“I was heading the technical sub-committee [for Bullets] last year and, to me, there is no difference because the roles are somehow similar,” he said.
Kananji said he was not bitter with the demotion and promised to continue serving the team loyally.
“I am a holder of Caf C-Licence and there is nothing I can do as I do not meet the requirements. I will continue serving the team. Mind you, I was only serving in acting capacity,” he said.
During the game, defender Emmanuel Zoya and playmaker Nelson Kagunje scored for Bullets. The People’s Team has 31 points from 16 games.
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