APR coach in the dark over contract extension

EVEN after leading the club to a league and cup double in the just concluded season APR management is still holding out on a contract extension for head coach Ernest Brandts.The Dutchman’s current contract is due to expire at the end of July, and it appears as though his bosses are waiting to see if he can add the Cecafa/Kagame cup to the local double. Kagame Cup is due on July 14-28 in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.The 56-year old revealed to Times Sport yesterday that he has, on numerous occasions asked his bosses about his contract situation but he was yet to receive any response. His two-year contract ends on July 31.“I have talked to the chairman and other executive committee members regarding my contract situation but I haven’t received a reply. “It seems like they are waiting until the end of the Cecafa tournament before they decide anything,” the former Dutch defender said in phone interview.Asked whether he thinks he deserves a contract extension, the soft spoken tactician, who has won two doubles in two seasons, simply replied, “I don’t Know.”APR chairman Maj. Gen Alex Kagame said the coach’s contract renewal will come up after the expiry of his current one.“He still has a contract till the end of July, so I don’t see why he is in a hurry. When it runs out, we will sit and discuss the matter,” General Kagame told Times Sport.However, the APR chairman kept his cards close to his chest when asked whether Brandts would be given a new deal if he didn’t win the Cecafa Cup. Gen. Kagame said, “We will review his work and take a decision accordingly.”APR has been known to offer contract extensions to their best players, even before their existing deals run out.The club spent heavily last season when they brought in players like Olivier Karekezi, Papy Faty and Ndikumana Seleman, Dan Wagaluka, Johnson Bagoole, Habib Kavuma and a host of Brazilians. But the club failed to go past the Round one of the CAF Champions League.APR beat Kenya’s Tusker FC in the preliminary round before falling to Tunisian side Etoile du Sahel in the first round, and it is likely that the Dutchman won’t get a contract extension if his team doesn’t perform well in Dar es Salaam.BizarreMeanwhile, in a bizarre twist of events yesterday, Brandts said he does not know the teams his side will face in the group stages of the Kagame Cup competition despite the draw being made 10 days ago.“I have been calling the Secretary General (Adolphe Kalisa) to inquire about which teams we will play against but in vain. I don’t even know when we are departing for (for the competition),” Brandts acknowledged.Last week, Kalisa told this paper the team would leave on Wednesday (tomorrow). APR is in Group B alongside holders and hosts Yanga Africans of Tanzania, Wau Salam (South Sudan) and Atletico (Burundi)Group A has Simba (Tz), URA (Uganda), Vita Club (DR Congo) and Ports of Djibouti, while Group C is composed of Azam (Tz), Tusker (Kenya) and Mfunzo of Zanzibar.APR will kick off their campaign for a fourth regional title against newcomers Wau Salam in the opening match of the championship on Saturday, July 14. Defending champions Yanga will start the championship against Burundi’s Atletico on the same day.

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APR coach in the dark over contract extension