NAIROBI, December 18- Former Harambee Stars and AFC Leopards head coach James Nandwa has been appointed as Tanzanian Premier League side Coastal Union’s new boss.
Nandwa succeeds compatriot Yussuf Chippo who has since taken up his new role as AFC Leopards assistant coach. According to Tanzanian media outlet Bongostaz.blogspot, Nandwa has been offered a one year contract and the Coastal Union management picked him because of his experience and they are confident he will deliver.
“I want to thank the Coastal Union management for giving me this opportunity and I want to work hard to make sure the team achieves its targets of being one of the best teams in Tanzania. With the experience that I have, we will definitely be up amongst the contenders to pick up the Vodacom Premier League,” Nandwa said on his arrival in Tanga, Coastal Union’s home town.
Nandwa carries with him a rich CV with his latest achievement being helping AFC Leopards to the GOTV Shield conquest in 2013 where he was named coach of the tournament as well besides the Kenyan Premier League runner-ups behind archrivals Gor Mahia.
However, he was sacked as head coach, just a few weeks into the just concluded season with Leopards struggling to perform as well as they did last season.
Nandwa also coached Tusker FC before he was shown the door after the end of the 2010 season for failing to guide the Ruaraka based side to title glory. He moved to Karuturi Sports in 2011 but was sacked at the end of the season, joining Rangers in 2012.
Nandwa was in charge of national team Stars in 2012 when they reached the final of the CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup in Kampala, losing out to hosts Uganda in the final. He has also had several stints with the junior national teams