Lule ascends to Singida top role

Matia Lule has been appointed as the interim head coach for Singida Big Stars | Photo Credit: Courtesy

FOOTBALL Lule ascends to Singida top role

Shafic Kiyaga 11:33 - 30.08.2023

The change at the helm comes even as the club has been on a remarkable journey, one that saw them finish in the league's top four last season and qualify for the CAF Confederation Cup.

Tanzanian club Singida big Stars FC has announced the appointment of Mathias Lule as their interim head coach, following the departure of Hans Van Pluijm.

The change at the helm comes even as the club has been on a remarkable journey, one that saw them finish in the league's top four last season and qualify for the CAF Confederation Cup.

A statement issued by the club, noted the impactful tenure of Pluijm, stating, "Hans has made a big contribution to the club.”

“He helped the team to finish in fourth place in the league last season while also leading it to the next stage of the federation cup,” a statement said.

"Mr. Hans will forever be part of the club’s history having recorded a historic achievement last season finishing in the top four and qualifying the club for the current CAF Confederation Cup."

Under Pluijm's guidance, Singida recently advanced to the second round of the CAF Confederation Cup, albeit suffering a 2-0 loss to JKU of Zanzibar in their last match.

Nevertheless, they secured passage to the next stage with a 4-3 aggregate victory.

While Pluijm's contributions have been monumental, the spotlight now turns to Mathias Lule, who left Mbeya City after serving as their head coach for two seasons.

Lule joined Singida along with Steven Billy Kiggundu in August 2022, adding to the Ugandan presence on the technical team.

He inherits a squad brimming with experience, featuring high-profile players like Serge Pascal Wawa, Meddie Kagere, Said Ndemla, Deus Kaseke, and Yahya Mudathir, who were signed from Tanzanian Premier League giants such as Simba, Yanga, and Azam.

In July, they also signed Ugandan and former Vipers SC defender Nicholas Wadada on a two-year contract from fellow top flight club Ihefu SC. The squad also includes defender Shafik Batambuze

The appointment of Lule coincides with a period of transformation for the club, which relocated from Dar es Salaam to Singida and rebranded from its former name, DTB FC.

This rebranding followed a promotion from the second tier in 2022 and coincides with a recruitment drive targeting big names in Tanzanian football.

Lule's first game in charge will be against Kitayosce FC