Western Province’s Salieg Nackerdien has been appointed head coach of the Tanzanian national team.

Salieg coached WP for four years, during which time they appearances in three domestic finals over two consecutive seasons and won the 2023-24 One-Day Cup.

“Salieg has the special touch as a head coach to get the best out of his team by creating an environment where players feel safe and in which they can thrive,” said WPCA CEO Corrie van Zyl. This is a skill that not all coaches have.

“WP Cricket understands and supports Salieg’s decision to take up this new role in Tanzania. Family is important to Salieg and this position as the head coach of the Tanzanian national team speaks to both his coaching ambitions and his desire to be with his family.

“Replacing Salieg will not be easy as his skill in managing people is rare. We wish Salieg and his family all the best in this new and exciting chapter in their lives.”

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An emotional Nackerdien said: “I want to say thank you to each and everyone who has supported us during the seasons and during the ups and downs over the years. In professional cricket you are going to win some and lose some – I want to say thank you to the supporters, the media, the board, the CEO, our staff and our ground staff.

“Everybody I worked with in the past couple of seasons was fantastic. It’s sad to leave the faithful Newlands ground where I have spent the last 15 years as well. I really appreciate the opportunity WPCA afforded me in 2021 to make a difference in this province and I am looking forward to the new journey as well.”

Photo: Shaun Roy/Gallo Images