MTNFootball

Fighton Simukonda

Nchanga Rangers have handed new coach Fighton Simukonda a three year deal.

Simukonda was confirmed as Rangers coach on Monday replacing Bruce Mwape who was fired in early June.

Rangers chairman Blackwell Siwale told MTNFootball.com that they were excited to have acquired the services of a top coach like Simukonda.

"I can confirm that we have engaged Mr. Simukonda," Siwale said.

"He is our coach effective from today (Monday). He has signed a three year-contract."

Simukonda joins Rangers from struggling Nakambala Leopards where he has been in charge since August, 2011.

"Fighton is a renowned coach, one of the top three or four in the country. Therefore when you look at his CV we expect a lot from him,'" Siwale said.

Despite failing to lift fourth from bottom Nakambala's fortunes this season, Simukonda comes armed with an impressive track record.

He has won two league championships with Zanaco and guided Zesco United to the 2010 title.

At Zesco, Simukonda also oversaw the teams’ qualification to the 2009 CAF Champions League group stage.

That feat was the first time a Zambian club had qualified to the group stage of a CAF club cup competition.

And one of Simukonda lesser known achievements was his 1998 COSAFA Castle Cup win during a brief spell as Zambia coach.

Meanwhile, he joins Rangers with are currently in eighth place on the MTN/FAZ Super Division table on 21 points from 15 games played.

His first game will come this Saturday when the Super Division resumes on July 14 after a three week break when Rangers host resurgent National Assembly at Nchanga Stadium in Chingola in a Week 16 game.