Sunrise FC to re-appoint Nzungu as head coach

Azam Premier League side Sunrise FC are set to re-appoint their former head coach Thierry Nzungu as the new coach replacing Jimmy Mulisa who has been with the Rwamagana-based club since March this year.

Tuesday, September 29, 2015
Thierry Nzungu, standing left, seen here with Sunrise players during last season's league game against Kiyovu, is set to be re-appointed as the team's head coach. (S. Ngendahimana)

Azam Premier League side Sunrise FC are set to re-appoint their former head coach Thierry Nzungu as the new coach replacing Jimmy Mulisa who has been with the Rwamagana-based club since March this year.

The former APR and Amavubi Stars forward, Mulisa, was recently appointed by Rwanda’s football governing body, FERWAFA, as the assistant technical director and Isonga FC coach, though he is yet to take up his new responsibilities.

Speaking to Times Sport on Monday, Sunrise team manager Eric Muvunyi, revealed that Nzungu will take up the role as soon as Mulisa officially leaves the post.

He said, "We have no plans to appoint another coach from outside the club since Nzungu has got what it takes to lead the team.”

"He has been with the club for almost three years and he was the head coach last season when we had a very successful campaign, which makes him more eligible than anyone else,” Muvunyi noted.

He added that besides having had a good record from last season, even players have always shown confidence and trust in Nzungu, hence making him the right man for the job.

Mulisa had joined the club as the technical director replacing Jean Marie Ntagwabira (RIP) but was later appointed head coach towards the start of the league in July while Nzungu was demoted to the assistant coach role.

However, the team’s performance has not been good enough thus far after earning just three points in three games including last weekend’s 4-1 defeat to AS Kigali—the biggest loss for any team in the league this season, leaving them 14th in the 16-team table standing.

Nzungu joined Sunrise in 2012/13 season from Nyanza FC as an assistant coach to Abdu Mbarushimana but took the head coach role in 2014/15 leading the club to finish on fourth position with 40 points in 26 games ahead of the likes of Rayon Sports and SC Kiyovu.