Newly promoted TNM Super League side Ekhaya Football Club has reiterated its desire to remain in the top flight league during its debut season.
The Thumbs Up Southern Region Football League Premier Division champions made the remarks Thursday when they unveiled Enos Chatama as head coach at the team’s head office in Blantyre.
Ekhaya Chief Executive Officer Thando Mhango said they wanted to set a realistic target, having observed how other Southern Region teams— namely Fomo and Bangwe All Stars—got relegated from the elite league.
“Being our first year playing in the Super League, we do not want to put much pressure on the kids. As of now, we just want to survive. We want to fight to survive.
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“We all know that most teams in the Southern Region end up being relegated but we want to be different. We want to survive without putting pressure on the new squad,” Mhango said.
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Mhango said they settled for Chatama, formerly of FCB Nyasa Big Bullets Reserve, because he fitted well in their development plans.
“Whoever is coaching in the Super League did not just start in the elite league. They had a process, starting at a lower division side. It is a gradual development process for everyone including players. We felt Enos Chatama is the right coach as he fits well in our philosophy,” he said.
He also disclosed that Flames former defender Moses Chavula, who steered the team to promotion, would be part of Chatama’s backroom staff as assistant.
Meanwhile, Chatama, who has signed a two-year deal, has said it was time to face a new challenge, having been coaching at the lower level.
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“I have taken this challenge wholeheartedly. Football is about steps; you move from one step to the other,” he said.
Chatama said his mission was to build a strong team.
“I want to build a good team. First of all, I believe I am a builder. I have been building [players] all along. I coached in under 14, 16 and 20. I also coached in Division One. I have been coaching in the Premier Division for over eight years. This is the time to move on and take the next challenge in the Super League. I believe I will build a good team in the next few years,” he said.
Chatama said the duration of the contract did not matter as long as he delivered expected results.
The team also unveiled Bullets former goalkeepers’ coach Vincent Gona as its goalkeepers’ trainer.
The team also unveiled three players namely Kesten Simbi, formerly of Bullets, defender Happy Mphepo from Bullets Reserve and goalkeeper Missi, formerly of Bullets and Bangwe.
