Tue, 30 Nov, -0001
Kathmandu: AFC Challenge Cup 2014 qualifying Group D side Nepal have named ex-Puerto Rico Islanders assistant manager Jack Stefanowski as their new head coach.
Stefanowski, who had a spell at the helm of the Puerto Rico national team in 2008, joins Nepal on a year-long contract with qualification to the 2014 AFC Challenge Cup finals and a successful showing in September's SAFF (South Asian Football Federation) Championship, which will be hosted in Kathmandu, top of the the Poland-born former goalkeeper's agenda.
Despite hosting the AFC Challenge Cup 2012, Nepal failed to progress through the group stages of the competition which cost the job of the former Tottenham defender Graham Roberts.
Nepal will play two friendly matches against Pakistan in February in Kathmandu to prepare for the AFC Challenge Cup 2014 qualifiers. They will host Palestine, Bangladesh and debutant Northern Mariana Islands in Group D during the qualifiers in March.
The five group winners and two best second-placed teams will join host nation the Maldives at the 2014 AFC Challenge Cup finals.