National Football Coaches Association says it fears more job losses for TNM Super League coaches because they ignore advice on how to handle their contracts with clubs before putting pen to paper.
This comes after PremierBet Dedza Dynamos fired their coach Andrew Bunya while Creck Sporting Club suspended its gaffer Joseph Kamwendo at the weekend due to poor results.
Meanwhile, Mzuzu City Hammers have also parted ways with their coach Stevie Mkwinika, who has resigned.
In an interview yesterday, the coaches body’s chairperson Aubrey Nankhuni said they fear the worst.
He said: “It is unfortunate that just six weeks into the new season, two coaches have parted ways with clubs while another one has been suspended.
the hearing. | Courtesy of Kamwendo
“We fear for the worst because clubs subtly craft contracts to suit their interests and we always emphasise the need for the coaches ro consult us or their lawyers before signing deals.
“Unfortunately, they seem to be over-excited and ignore our advice. Hopefully, in future, coaches will change their approach.”
In an interview yesterday, Creck sporting board chairperson Muhammad Selemani confirmed Kamwendo and part of his backroom staff’s suspension.
“The suspensions are performance-related. We have arranged a hearing on Friday so that we can hear them out and in the next two weeks or so, we should determine the way forward,” he said.
Selemani said in the meantime, assistant coach Harry Saidi is temporarily in charge of the team.
On his part, Kamwendo said: “It is true, I have been informed about my suspension and I am just waiting for the hearing on Friday.”
Creck Sporting have played five league games so far. They are second from the bottom with four points from five matches, having won once, drawn once and lost thrice, including defeats to FCB Nyasa Bullets and, more recently, Mighty Wanderers.
In Airtel Top 8, they were booted out 1-0 on aggregate by FCB Nyasa Bullets, having drawn 0-0 in the first leg before losing 0-1 in the return leg.
Kamwendo’s suspension came barely a day after Dedza Dynamos fired coach Bunya on similar grounds.
A media release signed by the club’s administrator Guston Kamkosi Banda on Sunday, reads: “This is both a strategic and technical decision and we believe it shall form a basis for several professional activities we shall implement in the short run, aimed at improving the club’s performance.
“We sincerely apologise to our supporters and partners for our recent run of poor results. The leadership of the club is treating the matters at hand with the required level of urgency.”
On his part, Bunya welcomed the club’s decision and accepted responsibility for the team’s poor form that has seen the club lie 10th in the 16-team league with six points from two wins and four defeats.
“Although I believe we could have had time to rectify the problem, I accept the club’s decision because, as coaches, we are hired to be fired. However, my advice to the club is to ensure they assess all areas that lead to poor results rather than just looking at the coach,” he said.
Meanwhile, Hammers have confirmed parting ways with Mkwinika, who has resigned to concentrate on his teaching job at Kazitowe Primary School in Mzimba District.
Mkwiniza yesterday said he resigned because his football coaching role in an elite football club was in conflict with his job as a teacher.
“I have chosen to work as a primary school teacher,” he said.
Hammers general secretary Benjamin Thole said in Mkwinika’s absence, his assistants Lackson Mauluka Nyoni and Lazarus Deco Nyemera will take charge on interim basis.
