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Augustine Hwata Sports Reporter
JUST like a yo-yo, former Shabanie Mine midfielder John Phiri keeps coming back into the asbestos miners’ technical team.
He is now set to take over from Luke Masomere as head coach.
Masomere did not renew his contract, which ended last week, and he has since found a new job at Buffaloes.
The self-proclaimed “Doctor of Football”, Masomere had done relatively well with the Chinda Boys whom he led to success in the BancABC Sup8r Cup final last season.

However, he kept being frustrated by the club’s failure to pay players’ bonuses during the league campaign.
Shabanie Mine chairman, Phithias Shoko, could neither confirm nor deny that Phiri was now their new coach.

“I have been away from Zvishavane for some time and I am not sure of what has been happening,” said Shoko yesterday.
However, it is understood that Phiri is set to lead the technical team and could be assisted by Arnold Jani and Elvis Muuya.

Jani and Muuya served as assistant coaches under Masomore and at one point led the team when their boss was serving a ban over his alleged involvement in the Asiagate scandal last year.

Phiri is no stranger to coaching Shabanie after a previous stint at the club.
He dumped the club in February 2011 following a clash with the executive committee over the appointment of Saul Chaminuka as the technical manager.

Back then, Phiri was the head coach and Chaminuka, who was coaching FC Victoria, had been appointed the head of the technical team.
But, as Phiri rejoins the Chinda Boys, the club is likely to lose their key players — Tarisayi Rukanda, Victor Twaliki and Pervington Zimunya.

Zimunya, one of the best players at the club last season, did not renew his contract and could be joining Masomere at Buffaloes.
Rukanda has signed for neighbours FC Platinum while veteran goalkeeper Twaliki wants to join CAPS United although he still has a running contract with Shabanie.