Former Kumul Sipa replaces Tarum as coach for Vipers

FORMER Kumul Joe Sipa is the new coach of Port Moresby Vipers after he took over the reins from Leonard Tarum.
Sipa told The National on Sunday that he will be the head coach of the Vipers till the end of the Digicel Cup season.
Sipa, who is also a former Viper, was pleased to get a win in his first game of the season as coach following their 26-10 victory against Goroka Lahanis at the Oil Search National Football Stadium yesterday.
The Kumul No.202 has been in and out of the team as coach and assistant coach over the years. Sipa said he was excited to be back as the head coach.
“I’m looking forward to guide the team towards the end of the season,” he said.
“I think we need to work on a lot of areas to reach the finals so my goal now is to work closely with players and make sure we turn up and play consistent football every week.”
Sipa said the Vipers’ dominant first-half performance against the Lahanis was the result of changes in the team.
He said the team were hungrier to get a win compared to previous weeks. “I think the change in coaching is probably motivation for the players,” Sipa said.
“That’s why they went hard in the first half which set the stage for us to get a comfortable win.
“It’s good to see them fired up. But we still need improvement.
“I’ll be talking to the players to maintain consistency going forward.”