Returning premiership side Shabanie Mine are still to offer new coach Mandla Mpofu a contract, almost a week after announcing his appointment.

Mpofu was named Shabanie Mine coach last week after beating former ZPC Kariba assistant coach Godfrey Tamirepi to the post which was left vacant following the departure of Tendai Chikuni to fellow Midlands side Chapungu earlier this month.

Mpofu, the former Chicken Inn coach told the SportsZone that he is still waiting for communication from the Shabanie Mine executive.

“I am at home in Bulawayo right now as we speak. I am waiting to hear from the executive on the way forward because they just called notifying me that I was successful during the interviews and were appointing me to the post,” said Mpofu.

Club chairman Elias Marufu confirmed that Mpofu was still to sign a contract due to some logistical challenges on their part.

“It’s true that the coach is still to sign a contract because of some challenges we have a team but we are in constant touch with him and he is going to sign soon. In fact the challenge we have is the issue of accommodation, once we get accommodation for him to get in, he is going to come over,” Marufu said.

“The previous coach Tendai Chikuni was not staying in a company house but with Mpofu we agreed that we have to provide accommodation for him. We hope to start preparations for the forthcoming season as soon as the coach arrives.”

The club has been facing serious financial challenges over the years since the closure of the main sponsor, the Shabanie Mine Company more than a decade ago, with the team flirting between the premiership and the first division.

The club which is one of the best supported teams in the country was relegated in 2014 together with Black Rhinos who also makes a return to the premiership this year.