Wanderers sack Silva

Sports Reporter
FORMER Dynamos coach Paulo Jorge Silva’s career in Africa took another serious dent this week when he was fired by Zambian top-flight side Mufulira Wanderers following a run of poor results.

According to Zambian newspaper, The Post, struggling Mufulira Wanderers dismissed their technical bench headed by the Portuguese coach after last weekend’s 4-0 defeat by Zanaco.

Silva leaves one of Zambia’s oldest clubs in danger of relegation after the side slumped into the drop zone following the hammering at Zanaco.

The theatrical Portuguese coach was dismissed by Zimbabwe giants Dynamos in May after only five games in charge.

Silva had arrived at Dynamos from Nigeria’s COD where he had served only three months before leaving under unclear circumstances.

At Dynamos he lasted just under five months with controversy stalking every step he took, the whip was cracked in May after he failed to meet the targets in his contract.

He was announced as Wanderers coach in July to help the club stabilise, but it got worse as he managed only one win in eight games.

Silva had been living on borrowed time after losing the confidence of the fans and the management.

His relationship with the Wanderers management was soiled after he accused them of incompetence following the 2-0 defeat at the hands of Lusaka Tigers last month.

Yesterday, The Post reported that Silva and his assistants Chewe Mukuka and Moses Kashimoto had been replaced by Egyptian Mohammed Sulliman.

Sulliman was hired earlier, but later dumped in preference for Silva after the Football Association of Zambia rejected his appointment on account of being under-qualified to coach in the FAZ/MTN Super League.

Wanderers are now 15th in the 18-team league with just 26 points.

They must win at least five of their remaining nine games to avoid being relegated to Division One.

“Yes that’s what has happened, but I can’t give you an official position, you have to call the secretary or chairman, but I can tell you that all of them are gone,” said an insider.

When contacted, Wanderers secretary Goodwell Mateyo could neither confirm nor deny the sacking, but just promised to issue a statement later after an executive meeting.

The sources, however, said Silva could still return as Sulliman’s assistant together with John Chellah.

“As we speak, that Egyptian, Sulliman, who has been rejected by FAZ is already in Mufulira,” said the sources.