Zimpapers Logo

Paulo Jorge Silva

Sports Reporter
Controversial former Dynamos coach Jorge Paulo Silva has showed up in Kenya where he has applied for a job with newly promoted side Vihiga United. The globetrotting Portuguese coach, who appears to have developed an affection for Africa of late, confirmed to Kenyan website Soka25east.com that he is ready to return to the continent.

Silva is currently hunting for a job following a brief stint with China’s Xiapu Football Club. The Portuguese mentor has had a string of short-lived engagements in Nigeria, Zimbabwe and Zambia.

“I am ready for another challenge in Africa. I have coached Zimbabwean side Dynamos, Zambian giants Mufulira Wanderers and Nigerian side C.O.D United and it’s time for another challenge in Kenya or Tanzania. About Vihiga United, I have heard about it and given opportunity I will aim at lifting the league in their first adventure,” said Silva.

The Portuguese mentor left DeMbare barely six months into the job last year following a nightmarish start to the season. He also left the Harare giants a divided house after it also emerged he had falsified his credentials.

A few months later he was unveiled as Mufulira Wanderers coach but again he could not flourish leading to the termination of his contract. Silva claims that he holds UEFA A Coaching Licence. He has also mentioned in his VC that he coached football teams in England, Germany, Portugal and Costa Rica before the latest stints in Africa and China.

Newly promoted Kenya Premier League newcomers Vihiga United announced this month that a vacancy had arisen in their technical side following the resignation of Edward Manoah who won the promotion with the side in a dramatic last day season triumph over favourites Ushuru.

The club’s chairman Kahi Indimuli confirmed to Goal magazine that a coach from Portugal has applied to take over at the newly promoted side. The deadline for the applications is today.

“I would like to notify you that top coaches from the country and abroad among them a Portuguese technician have shown interest,” said Indmuli.

In a statement to the media, the newly promoted Western Kenya based football club explained that the move is aimed at advancing the club and the players’’ performance in the next subsequent seasons.

“The EC would like to take this opportunity to invite applications from prospective candidates for the position of head coach. We want to assure players and fans that soon a qualified coach will be hired to take charge of the club. The EC once again thank the county government under Governor Dr. Wilber Ottichilo for the support it has given to the team enabling to make the dream of Vihiga people have a county team play in the KPL come true.”