By Emmanuel Muga BBC Sport, Dar es Salaam

Former Zambia coach Patrick Phiri could be the new coach of Tanzania's Simba

Tanzanian club Simba have reportedly hired Zambian coach Patrick Phiri to lead them into the 2004 Champions League campaign.

He replaces Kenyan James Sianga'a, who was sacked despite making Simba the surprise team of the 2003 Champions League, by guiding them to the group stages of the competition, including a win over eventual champions Enyimba.

Phiri, the former coach of the Zambian national team, has been offered a one-year renewable contract, and is expected to take up his post at the beginning of January.

"I can confirm that Patrick has signed a one-year renewable contract and is expected to start work on 4 January," Suleyman Saleh, the spokesperson of Mohammed Enterprises company told the BBC Sport website.

Mohammed Enterprises are Simba's official sponsors and are responsible for paying the salaries of both players and coaches.

However Phiri himself has refused to confirm or deny the appointment, saying only that he had been to Tanzania for talks with the club.

Phiri was axed by Zambia after failing to take the Chipolopolo to 2004 Nations Cup finals in Tunisia finals.

Simba's Secretary General Kassim Dewji said he us confident that Phiri can steer the team to even more success.

"He is the most highly qualified and experienced coach that we have ever had.

"I believe Simba will now reach new heights in African football," Dewji said.