All Nepal Football Association (Anfa) has extended the contracts of head coach Gyotoku Koji and technical director Takeda Chiaki for one more year. But the latter will remain in charge of Nepali football as technical expert under the football governing body.

The extension was announced amidst a press conference at the Japanese Embassy on Wednesday following expiration of their two-year long contracts. “Our target is to secure top spot in the upcoming Saff Championships to be held in September and we will work really hard for that,” said the 53-year-old Japanese Koji who guided Nepal to the title of the AFC Solidarity Cup in November, 2016.

“There is improvement in the tactics of the team,” he said referring to his two-year stint with the team. “We still need to work in technical and tactical aspects.” He had arrived Nepal in March 2016 under recommendation of Japan Football Association’s international department.

Koji led Nepal in the AFC Asia Cup Qualifiers 2019 after Nepal earned place in the tournament as replacement of Guam after the latter decided to pull out of the tournament. Nepal, pitted in Group ‘F’, are eliminated from the four-team group with their last (away) match to spare against Yemen on March 27. Nepal seat at the bottom of the table with two draws and three defeats.

Chiaki, who will have changed role as technical expert, will be paid by Japanese government through Jica (Japan International Coperation Agency), a semi-governmental body under Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. “During my stay in the past two years, I have experienced that Nepal have big potential to develop football. But there must be better quality coach in order to improve level of players,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Government of Japan will also upgrade the stadium facilities at the Anfa Complex. The facilities at the players’ changing room will be upgraded while toilets and technical training room will be constructed.

The valuation of the aid is about Rs 7.4 million. Japan’s ambassador to Nepal Masashi Ogawa and Anfa general secretary Dhirendra Pradhan signed the MoU.

According to Japanese Embassy, the aid to Nepal came under Grant Assistance for Cultural Grassroots Project and Sports for Tomorrow Initiative run by Government of Japan. “The changing rooms will be upgraded as per the international standard,” said Anfa president Narendra Shrestha. “Since Dasharath Stadium is under construction after being damaged by 2015 earthquake, the new facilities will help us to conduct international matches at the Anfa Complex.”

He also praised Chiaki for his hard work in Nepal. “He has conducted in-depth study of Nepali football and we are impressed with him. The technical department led by Chiaki will mobilise the coaches and also provide them with necessary trainings,” said Shrestha.