Reigning Ethiopian champions Kidus Giorgis have announced that they appointed Portuguese coach Carlos Manuel Vaz Pinto, replacing Dutch coach Mart Nooji. The 43 years old former Recreativo do Libolo coach put pen to paper a two years deal as he was unveiled on Wednesday, September 13.
Kidus Giorgis were on hunt for a new trainer following Mart Nooji’s illness that hindered to carry on his daily coaching job as he missed out some decisive duels both in the local and continental, CAF Champions League, games. The Dutch coach showed interest to prolong his stay in Addis Ababa; nonetheless Kidus Giorgis opted to hire a new manager.
Carlos Vaz Pinto spent the last couple of seasons in Angola with brief spells at Recreativo do Libolo and Recreativo da Caala. The Portuguese is virtually unknown for African football as he only spent 6 months with Libolo. Vaz Pinto managed to guide Libolo to the Total CAF Confederations Cup group stage, finishing third behind eventual quarter finalists D.R. Congo giants TP Mazembe and Sudanese side Al Hilal Obied.
Vaz Pinto is handed a task to defend the Ethiopian Premier League title for the 2017/18 season and at least reach the group stages of the 2018 CAF Champions League. Kidus Giorgis has had a long tradition of appointing foreign coaches since 2004. Coaches from Netherland, Serbia, Bosnia, German, Italy, Brazil and Portugal handled the record Ethiopian champions.
