Brazilian coach to sharpen Kenyan trio in Tanzania

Tanzanian Premier League side Singida Fountain Gate - home to the Kenyan trio of Elvis Rupia, Duke Abuya and Joash Onyango have appointed Brazilian international Heron Ricardo Ferreira as their new head coach, the club confirmed on Sunday afternoon.

The 65 year old, who has coached several African teams including Egyptian side Al Ahly, and recently Al Merrikh of Sudan, takes over from Thabo Senong, who was serving in an interim capacity.

The length of his contract at the club was not confirmed.

Joining him in his technical bench, as per multiple sources, will be the aforementioned Senong, alongside South Africa’s duo of Thembalethu Moses (goalkeeper coach) and Kelvin Ndlomo (biokineticist).

The new change for a permanent head coach comes after their previous tactician Ernst Middendorp announced his resignation from Singida, citing disagreement with the team’s top officials a day after a 1-0 win over Egyptian side Future FC in the first leg of the second preliminary round clash of the CAF Confederation Cup in September.

Singida coach Middendorp resigns after 'unexpected meeting' with club's authority

His stay only lasted two weeks.

Since then, Singida was knocked out of the continental stage after falling 4-1 in the Confederation Cup return leg on foreign soil, before picking a 1-0 win over Mtibiwa Sugar in the domestic league.

The team is placed ninth on the log with five points from the opening five games, and is coming off a 2-1 defeat to Simba last Sunday.

Ferreira’s first game in charge will be against Namungo on 21 October at the Majaliwa Stadium.