
Fungai Muderere, Senior Sports Reporter
FORMER Highlanders head coach Mandla “Lulu” Mpofu is looking up to his new challenge at Botswana’s Premier League side Nico United where he was unveiled as the club’s new gaffer last Friday.
Last season, Mpofu was the head coach at Sua Flamingoes, also in Botswana.
He parted ways with the team in December.
“It’s a new challenge for me and I’m grateful about that. I would like to thank the Nico United family for believing in my capabilities. I’m looking forward to a great season. It will be all about hard work in our quest to meet our targets,” said Mpofu.
In a statement, his new paymasters said: “Nico United Sporting Club would like to announce the appointment of Mandla Mpofu from Zimbabwe as head coach until the end of the season. He holds a Caf A Licence and has previously coached local clubs such as Masitaoka FC and Sua Flamingoes FC.”

Teenage Hadebe
At Nico United, Mpofu will be in his third coaching job in Botswana.
He is a former Chicken Inn, Bulawayo City and Bantu Rovers gaffer.
At the now defunct Bantu Rovers, Mpofu groomed a number of Zimbabwe’s celebrated players that include ex-Aston Villa midfielder Marvelous Nakamba, Kudakwashe Mahachi, United States of America (USA) based Teenage Hadebe, Nqobizitha Masuku and ex-Warriors captain Danny “Deco” Phiri.
He also had a coaching stint in the Zimbabwe senior national team as a first assistant to Norman Mapeza.
-@FungaiMuderere