Eric Odanga BBC Sport in Nairobi

Simba will keep Siang'a as coach

James Siang'a, the Kenyan coach for Tanzania's top club Simba, has denied signing a contract with Uganda Premier League side Express Red Eagles.

The former national coach of Kenya's Harambee Stars also quashed rumours that he was contemplating a move to rivals Tanzanian club Young Africans.

"This issue of joining Express has surprised me," Siang'a said.

"I came to Kenya to renew my passport. Then I went to Uganda to get my child who is studying there.

"When I arrived in Uganda, the national team was playing against Mauritius and I decided to go and watch the match.

"Probably this is what was mistaken as my having gone to negotiate with Express officials.

"I had purely gone to watch the match," he explained.

But Siang'a admitted meeting former Uganda Cranes coach David Otti and Express Red Eagles chairman Godfrey Kirumira.

"We did not talk about signing for Express because I am still contracted to Simba," added Siang'a.

Siang'a denies he is on his way to Express Red Eagles

The former Kenya goalkeeper played down what has been a trying time at Simba.

"There is no problem. What has been happening is a question of contract negotiations and work permits and some of these things have been sorted out.

"These are temporary problems, which you encounter as a coach.

"Sometimes you have to keep people alert because they take important things for granted.

"It is healthy to bring them out once in a while.

"At the moment, my work permit has been renewed but we are still working on the contract.

"The Simba leadership promised the contract would be renewed once we return from the Ivory Coast."