Pretoria Callies confirm new coach, Nkanyiso Zungu signing
Pretoria Callies boss Moses Malada has confirmed the arrival of coach Fabio Lopez and a few signings, including ex-Orlando Pirates midfielder Nkanyiso Zungu.
As FARPost earlier reported, Lopez started working with the Motsepe Foundation Championship last month as they prepared for the new 2024/25 season.
The former Fiorentina FC and Atalanta FC scout was identified as the replacement to take over the reins for the current season. Malada has now confirmed that Lopez has finalised his paperwork and is officially ready to sit on the bench.
Madala further disclosed that the new coach has been tasked with assembling a team during the current season that is capable of contending for and securing promotion to the Betway Premiership in the subsequent season, which is the 2025/26 campaign.
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“He is officially the coach and will be assisted by Bushy Moloi,” Malada confirmed to FARPost. “It was just about looking for an experienced person who would bring a different ball game to the club.
“The mandate is to build a team that will compete next season. The duration is as long as he is doing well and is better for the team. We are not a club that is always chasing away coaches.”
The 51-year-old coach holds a UEFA Pro License qualification. He is also a UEFA B License instructor for the Lithuania Football Federation. He has also coached the Laos and Bangladesh national teams.
According to Transfermarket, Lopez’s last job was as a coach for Dong A Thanh Hoa FC in Vietnam in 2020.
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Meanwhile, the club has also brought in a few new faces, including Zungu, the former Pirates, Stellenbosch FC, AmaZulu FC and Richards FC midfielder. Zungu, who was last on the books of relegated side Platinum City Rovers, has been given a lifeline by the club.
Former Marumo Gallants goalkeeper King Ndlovu has also joined Callies. Ndlovu was with Marumo Gallants last season but parted ways with the club in the middle of the season. Former Stellenbosch striker Waseem Isaacs and ex-Swallows defender Gregory Damons have also joined the club.
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