COASTAL Union are in the final stages of securing a new coaching team, with two potential candidates emerging as front-runners for the roles of head coach and assistant coach.

This comes as the club seeks to stabilize and strengthen its technical bench after parting ways with their previous coach, David Ouma, a few weeks ago.

According to sources within the club, the management is in advanced negotiations with two experienced coaches who have previously managed Premier League teams in Tanzania. 

These coaches are Moalin Abdihamid, currently at Kinondoni Municipal Council (KMC), and Zuberi Katwila, formerly with Mtibwa Sugar and Ihefu SC.

The insider revealed: “We are finalizing talks with Moalin Abdihamid to take over as the head coach, while Zuberi Katwila is being considered for the assistant coach position. We expect to conclude these discussions by the end of the week, allowing the new coaching duo to join the team as soon as possible.”

The potential appointments of Moalin (pictured) and Katwila are seen as crucial for Coastal Union as the club aims to build on the foundations laid by Ouma. 

Last season, under Ouma’s leadership, Coastal Union finished fourth in the Premier League standings, securing a spot in the CAF competitions and reaching the semifinals of the Federation Cup, where they were defeated by Azam FC.

When approached for comment, Katwila acknowledged Coastal Union’s ambition and the opportunity that working with the club would represent. However, he remained tight-lipped about the ongoing negotiations. 

“Coastal Union is a club with great potential, and joining them would be a significant step forward in my career. However, nothing is official at this stage, and I cannot comment further until the club makes an official announcement,” Katwila stated.

Meanwhile, Coastal Union’s training sessions continue under the temporary guidance of Dominique Niyonzima, who has been overseeing the team at their training camp in Kigamboni, Dar es Salaam. 

Niyonzima, a FIFA technical advisor for Western countries, has been leading the training for about a week now, though the club has not made any official statement regarding his involvement or potential future with the team.

The Coastal Union management is reportedly eager to solidify their coaching staff to ensure continuity and maintain the team’s competitive edge as the Premier League season progresses. The club’s ambition is to avoid losing momentum despite their early elimination from international competitions.

“We need coaches who can pick up where the previous coach left off, ensuring that the team maintains its form and competitiveness before the league becomes more intense. Although we didn’t progress in the international championship, we have high hopes for the domestic league,” the source added.

Abdihamid, who is being targeted as Coastal Union’s next head coach, has a strong coaching background, including a stint with Azam FC before joining KMC. Last season, he guided KMC to a respectable fifth-place finish in the Premier League, showcasing his tactical acumen and ability to get the best out of his players.

On the other hand, Katwila’s recent coaching journey has been less fortunate. After a challenging season with Mtibwa Sugar, which culminated in the team’s relegation, Katwila parted ways with the club. Despite this setback, his previous success with other teams, including Ihefu SC, has kept him in the conversation for top coaching roles within the league.

Currently, Coastal Union are under the interim management of Joseph Lazaro, who led the team to a 1-1 draw against KMC in their opening league match. However, the club’s management is eager to appoint permanent coaches to lead the team forward.

As Coastal Union look to finalize their coaching appointments, the club’s supporters and stakeholders will be keenly watching for any official announcements. 

The potential combination of Moalin’s experience and Katwila’s tactical insight could be the boost the team needs to navigate the challenges of the upcoming season and build on the successes of the previous campaign. 

The coming days will be crucial as the club moves to solidify its technical bench and set the stage for a competitive Premier League season.