Over-price fear

In order to avoid being over-priced, Ferwafa are taking a cautious approach in their search for a new national team head coach.

Tuesday, March 18, 2008

In order to avoid being over-priced, Ferwafa are taking a cautious approach in their search for a new national team head coach.

The local football governing body, working hand-in-hand with the Sports ministry has since January been hunting for a new coach to replace Josip Kuze who resigned in January.

Their search has taken them places including reported contacts with former Senegal coach Henri Kasperczak and Berti Vogts , formerly coach of Nigeria’s Super Eagles among others

About ten days ago, Ferwafa chief Brig. Gen. John Bosco Kazura denied contacts with any of the two but admitted to having made inquiries about the availability of Kasperczak.

Kazura’s denial came as a reaction after the Polish himself had admitted to BBC Sports as having been approached by Rwanda but he was yet to make up his mind because he, like he put, "had many offers" to chose from.

Ferwafa are looking for an experienced European coach but have until this point, remained tight-lipped on who exactly they want.

However, yesterday Chief Executive Officer, Jules Kalisa dropped the bomb on why they are reluctant to reveal the identities of the coaches they’re in contact with.

"In such circumstances, you can’t just reveal the names of the people you’re in contact with because it could jeopardize the whole exercise.

"If we came out and spoke publicly about the guys we want, he can use that as tool to hike his price, that’s what we’re trying to avoid" Kalisa acknowledged.

Then he added, "But we shall let the public know as soon as we get the right man (and at the right price)".

Asked whether they’ve given themselves a time limit, he noted, "There is nothing like time limit, but we’re doing everything within our means to get a new coach as soon as possible".

Ferwafa and the sports ministry, the two appointing authorities, have in the past preferred to not to reveal not only the salary scales of national team coaches but also their identities and it remains to be seen whether that pattern will ever change.

Meanwhile, assistant coaches Jean Marie Ntagwabira and Anttoine Rutsindura have been entrusted with the responsibility to prepare the team for the forthcoming Africa Nations’ Championship tie with Burundi scheduled for March 29.

Ends