Bullets coach Kananji resigns over salary

Malawi champions Bullets FC continue to make headlines for the wrong reasons with the resignation of title winning coach Elia Kananji.

Kananji confirmed to Nyasa Times of his resignation.

The coach, who has led the People’s Tea, to break their title jinx in nine year capped it with double after winning Carlsberg Cup said he wanted the Bullets to reconsider his pay package.

“I wanted Bullets to consider my package because I have a family to look after. What is the point of working for such a big club when I can’t afford to bring food on the table?” he said.

He insisted that his decision had nothing to do with his falling down on the perking order in the coaching panel from head coach to third in the line of duty.

“I have passion for Bullets and that’s why I did not complain when I was demoted,” he said.

“If it was anything to do with the coaching panel reshuffle then I could have done this long time ago. But I was giving a chance for dialogue to resolve my issue which has unfortunately failed.”

However the soft-spoken coach said he could rescind his decision should Bullets address his concern.

“I am ready to come back to work for the team if they will offer me what I am looking for,” he said.

Bullets outspoken Chairman Kondie Msungama confirmed of Kananji’s resignation and tongue in cheek said the club could afford to pay what he is looking for.

Msungama said he was surprised that Kananji did not complain when he was offered the deal last season.

“Bullets have no steady income of raising money to pay players and coaches. What we get from the gates cannot help run the club. It is the officials who are doing everything possible to ensure that they raise money for the operations of the team,” Msungama said.

“So we cannot manage to pay him.”

Inside sources said Kananji demanded an increase of his basic salary of K50,000 to K200,000 a month.

His demand for the salary increase comes in the wake of Bullets recruitment of Burundian coach Nsanzarwimo Ramadhan who was offered salary in the region of K1 million per month.

Ramadhan was appointed head coach with Lloyd Nkhwazi as first assistant coach and Kananji second assistant coach.

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