FAM boss implicated in Kananji scam

Blantyre United have accused Football Association of Malawi president Walter Nyamilandu of coaxing their coach Elia Kananji to join Mighty Wanderers as assistant coach to Leo Mpulula whom the Nomads are allegedly interested in.

But Nyamilandu on Monday laughed off the claims, distancing himself from the allegations and faulted some football circles for failing to appreciate that he has moved on from his past as Wanderers player and administrator.

On Friday, Blantyre administrator Lawson Nakoma claimed that Nyamilandu called Kananji to broker his move to Wanderers, who have in the past week been linked to Azam Tigers mentor Mpulula.

Wanderers recently sacked coach Frank ‘Franco’ Ndawa.

“I am surprised that, instead of protecting us, he wants to destroy our team. He called our coach to join Wanderers as an assistant coach to Mpulula. We are surprised and we find this as very unfortunate,” Nakoma explained.

The allegations came a day after Mpulula showed The Nation a copy of Wanderers’ offer to him. Mpulula has not yet responded to the Nomads, claiming he is consulting his advisers.

“I have not responded to their offer. I am going in camp tomorrow up to September 24 as Under-17 assistant coach. I will be able to comment after that. You know I am still building my team Azam,” Mpulula said in the latest response on Saturday.

Asked about Nyamilandu’s advances after Blantyre United beat Tigers 2-0 at Kamuzu Stadium on Saturday, Kananji denied being contacted by Nyamilandu “but there are many rumours insinuating that I am going to Wanderers.”

The FAM president on Monday insisted that he neither knows Kananji nor his contacts.

“Nakoma also called me to ask the same. I am surprised with these allegations. For starters, I would not stoop so low. Blantyre United has to be supported as they have no sponsor. I would be the last to destroy that team,” said Nyamilandu.

Asked why he was being mentioned of all FAM officials, Nyamilandu blamed some people who read too much into his Wanderers background.

“I hardly watch domestic games and I am not in a better position to recommend a coach. I have no links to Wanderers and I have never met him [Kananji]. I find this very strange. The problem is my Wanderers’ background. Some people have not accepted that I have moved on,” said Nyamilandu.