Afric back for second spell as Sliema coach
Sergio Afric has signed a two-year agreement to coach Sliema. Photo: Paul Zammit Cutajar
Sliema McDonald's have appointed Sergio Afric as their coach for the next two seasons, the 2008 BOV waterpolo league and cup winners announced on their website (www.sliema-asc.org.mt).
The much-travelled Afric returns for a second spell with the Blues after calling time on his four-year reign as coach of Neptunes, Sliema ASC's bitter rivals.
In his first spell with Sliema from 2001 to 2004, Afric, who also has a contract with the ASA to supervise the training and progress of the national teams at all levels, led the Blues to four consecutive league titles.
"The club is pleased to announce that an agreement has been reached with Sergio Afric to be the head coach for the coming two years," a report on the Sliema ASC website said.
"The agreement is effective from October 1, 2008 and for the first time in the club's history, the appointment of a foreign coach will be on a 12-month basis and not just for the summer months."
Croatian Afric succeeds Igor Gocanin who guided Sliema to a league and cup double in his second and final season in charge. Sliema clinched their 30th championship in emphatic style last month, winning all but one of their 13 league matches. In the BOV Knock-Out final, Sliema beat Neptunes 14-11.
"The club would like to thank outgoing coach Igor Gocanin for his services during the last two summers and wish him success in his future commitments overseas," the Sliema report added.
Long-serving coach Peter Decesare will continue to form an integral part of the club's coaching staff, the Sliema ASC report said.
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l zammit
Sep 18th 2008, 16:46
No Madam! Get in touch with Igor yourself and maybe he will let you know his reaction. What I had to say has been amply drummed in and for me the matter is now closed.
Vicki Soler
Sep 18th 2008, 11:15
Leonard, as you seem to know it all, why not tell us exactly how Igor Gocanin was sacked. I dont know it. Who can blame the Sliema Committee for acting fast to secure a coach for Sliema, when Igor was still unsure himself. Well done to the Sliema Committee who proved to us this year that they know how to choose both their players, foreign and Maltese and now the coach, unlike another club which failed miserably in their choice and investment.
L Zammit
Sep 18th 2008, 09:05
The Solers and the rest missed it all completely. The subject was all about
the manner of Gocanin's unjust sacking and NOT whether Sliema's former coach
deserved to be back where they say, he belongs.
Vicki Soler
Sep 17th 2008, 11:11
Sergio is back where he belongs, with the team which gave him the greatest satisfactions. May I take the opportunity to say Special thanks to Igor Gocanin but most especially to Peter De Cesare who did a stirling job this season.
Paula Psaila Soler
Sep 16th 2008, 18:30
@ L(eonard) Zammit
The Neptunes website, last updated 2007, states that Sergio Afric was Neptunes' coach in 1996, 1997, 2005-2008 ( 6 years in total).
The Waterpolo Honours List , as per Sliema ASC magazine, lists 1996 SLIEMA, 1997 M'Scala, 2005 Sirens, 2006& 2007 Neptunes as Champions.
Including this year's championship, Neptunes have won 2 out of six leagues.
L. Zammit
Sep 16th 2008, 16:37
PCaruana Turner: There were far more serious reasons why Gocanin had to go and
these might eventually be revealed in the future but in a nutshell the Sliema
mentors gave in to pressure from a section of the players and its
as simple as that. And BTW when did Sliema contact SA to join them?
C. Giudice: Where did anyone question SA's winning mentality? Indeed you have been a judge not only by name but also by nature.
That shining light Paula has only to refer to her club's annual expertly compiled by my friend Joe Anastasi to satisfy her curiosity!
I suppose that rather than defending a faux pas by their mentor the Sliema supporters should be writing at least a couple of lines in appreciation of their recently departed stalwart Franz Frendo. who gave them such sterling service in the past together with a number of trophies.
I take this opportunity to congratulate Stevie Camilleri for his 8 goals in the Italian Cup competition since returning to Bogliasco last week.
Paula Psaila Soler
Sep 16th 2008, 13:49
Who can blame Sergio Afric for wanting to return to Sliema?. The Blues, never let him down and won 4 leagues in succession.
Maybe L.( Leonard) Zammit could kindly remind us how many leagues Neptunes won, when Afric was their coach.
C Giudice
Sep 16th 2008, 12:41
@L. Zammit - all sliema supporters who, like myself remember vividly the successes which our team enjoyed during Sergio's four year spell with the blues were overjoyed when this news became common knowledge.
It is quite strange that we are now hearing people like yourself complaining about Sergio's mentality. In fact, teh ASA has just appointed him as national coach, with responsibilities on all age groups.....apart from the fact that he has been a major force behind his (now) former club's two league successes, following teh said club's many years in the wilderness.
We, at Sliema are all sure that Sergio will continue to build on the successes which our team has achieved during the past season.
Bentornato Sergio.......ad multos annos
D Saliba
Sep 16th 2008, 12:30
Sliema supporters are happy. In fact we are OVER THE MOON and meeting at pitch on friday as per website. On the other hand, it seems there are a few people commenting on this article who are far from happy.
Thank you Igor & Welcome back Sergio
:) :) HAPPY :) )
P. Caruana Turner
Sep 16th 2008, 11:54
@ L. Zammit .... Learn the facts before commenting Igor Gochanin was offered an extension but told Sliema he couldn't give them an answer ... The comittee had to do what was best for the club the couldn't just stand idly by whilst other teams begin bolstering their squads for next year .... And after all Afric won us 4 league titles including 2 doubles and 1 treble .... who deserves more thanks ... ? Ben Tornato Sergio !!!
@ n. vella it was pretty ovious stevie would not be playing for the rest of the season anyone who spoke to him or a neptunes player new this
L Zammit
Sep 16th 2008, 10:57
C. Giudice: Do you believe all Sliema supporters are happy with your latest acquisition and his mentality?
N. Vella
Sep 16th 2008, 10:46
Was it a coincidence that a waterpolo coach prior to an important local match very recently divulged to the Press his decision regarding the non-deployment of one of his players who was on the team list? Is this a normal code of behaviour?
C. Giudice
Sep 16th 2008, 09:59
Afric is finally back where he belongs..............a coach with a winning mentality must definitely coach the team with the best winning mentality of them all.
L Zammit
Sep 16th 2008, 09:48
What a nice way to thank Igor Gocanin for bringing the league championship back to the club! Shameful indeed!