STAYING: Rahman Gumbo • Khumalo set for new Highlanders role • Murape Murape wins Soccer Star of the Year award • Rhinos, Hwange and Mwana Africa relegated • Relegation battle goes to the wire • Dynamos clinch league and cup double • 2007 Premier Soccer League Fixtures

By Sports Reporter

DESPITE losing the league title on the last day of the Malawi Super League, MTL Wanderers coach Rahman Gumbo will remain in charge of the former champions next season after receiving a vote of confidence from the team’s executive.

MTL boss Sydney Chikoti said while their AGM was only due in February, there was no chance that Gumbo would be leaving.

“He has achieved a lot with us since he came here. We were champions last year, we lost this year on the last day after a poor start and due to some problems with his work permit,” Chikoti said.

“With the tight budget that we had, he managed to fight all the way to the top and we are proud of those achievements and want him to build on that.

“We cannot let such a coach go, other teams are waiting for him, even the national team, so he cannot go, he’s too precious to be released.”

Gumbo, who won two league titles with Highlanders, is in Zimbabwe for a break and confirmed on Sunday that he will be returning to Malawi for a third stint with the club.

He revealed: “There is no problem whatsoever there. I am returning to start working for the new season and I have been assured by the executive that the budget will be increased so that we can acquire some few players.

“I am looking for four experienced players and if possible could get some of them from here.”

MTL who were odds-on favourites to retain the league title, finally surrendered the championship on the last day of the marathon last Sunday, losing 0-1 to
Silver Stars.

Strong challengers, Escom United, who were second behind MTL on the log standing for the better part of the season, clinched the title after edging Big Bullets 1-0 on the same day.

Gumbo is a former Highlanders midfielder and senior national team coach. He won the Malawian title last year in his first season in charge of MTL Wanderers, also known as The Nomads.
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