Red Lions relieve Kumanga of his duties after poor performance

By Antony Isaiah Jr…….

The Oldest Military team, Red Lions have parted ways with Head Coach, Mike Kumanga after a run of poor results this season.

As of week 8, Red Lions are in relegation zone with just 4 points from 8 games which puts the team at risk of getting relegated for the second time in a space of 5 years.

The team’s publicity secretary Joy Khakona said Franko Ndawa, who was Technical Director, will be the caretaker head coach for the Zomba-based Malawi Defence Force side.

“We were a little bit patient, we had hopes that the team can return to the winning ways but things are not going as we thought. We have taken the action earlier so that our hopes of winning a cup or finishing higher up in the league should remain alive.

Franko Ndawa will now be our interim Coach as we are still hunting for the right candidate, ” said Kakhona.

Red Lions have lost four games consecutively and failed to score in all the four games consecutively to remain slumped at the second from the bottom of the 16-member Super League table.

They lost to Moyale Barracks, FCB Nyasa Big Bullets, Bangwe All Stars and Kamuzu Barracks with a margin of 8-0. Six defeats, one draw and a win are the record of the team this season.

Last season in May, Red Lions also sacked coach Mike Kumanga over poor performance in the 2022 TNM Super League, which is just seven weeks old before recalling him for the post.

Kumanga was fired together with vice team Manager Alexander Saka after the team won three games out of eight matches as the season is seven weeks old.
Franko Ndawa stepped down from his post of Head Coach at Civil Service United after reviewing an offer from the Militar and he will start his work with a tricky game against Chitipa United.

“Chitipa United are one of the teams that are doing well this season, so we want it to be our turning points, ” added Kakhona.

Mike Kumanga becomes the second coach to be fired this season following the departure of Stereo Gondwe from Mafco FC. Extreme’s Joseph Malizani did resign from the post.