adminSources close to both Phiri and the club said the former Railstars, Zimbabwe Saints, Kujatana and McInn FC coach signed a two-year result-based contract.
Phiri is in Kariba at the FC Platinum pre-season training camp taking the players through their paces together with Tendai Chikuni who is the acting coach as Chilumba is waiting for his work permit.
Source at the club said yesterday that Chikuni’s contract might not be renewed when it expires in June.
“Anderson (Phiri) is at FC Platinum and it is Chilumba who recommended him for the assistant coach’s position.
“The idea is for him to familiarise with the environment as he will become first assistant to Chilumba in June when Chikuni’s contract expires.
“What I know is that Phiri and Chilumba signed result-based contracts and if they fail to deliver, the whole technical team will be axed,” said the source.
Phiri has vast experience having been at the helm of Zimbabwe Saints and Railstars when they were in the Premiership.
Last season he was at a developmental side McInn FC in Gwanda.
FC Platinum spokesman Benson Wirimai speaking through Chido Chizvondo confirmed that Phiri had joined them but was diplomatic when asked to comment on Chikuni’s future.
“It is true that Anderson Phiri has joined us and is with the team in Kariba. He is third in command. Chilumba is still waiting for his permit so Chikuni is the acting head coach.
“Chikuni has been and is a valuable member of our technical team that is why he has been entrusted with leading the team’s pre-season camp. In terms of what the future holds for him, a statement will be released when the time comes,” said Wirimai.
In their two seasons in the Premiership, FC Platinum has been coached by the late Benjamin Moyo and Rahman Gumbo.
When Moyo passed on in 2011, former Chicken Inn and Highlanders assistant coach Philani Mabhena took over as acting coach before another FC Platinum assistant Patrick Mandizha took over.
Mabhena fell out of favour when Gumbo was hired in 2011 and was demoted to the FC Platinum Under-19 team which played in the Zifa Central Region Division Two where he worked under John Phiri. Both Mabhena and John’s contracts were not renewed when they expired at the end of last year.
Chikuni took charge of FC Platinum for the better part of last season and was sent for an attachment at Platinum Stars in South Africa but that did not stop his bosses from hiring Chilumba, the Castle Lager 2011 Premiership Coach of the Year.
Online Reporter