Coaches raise bar

National Football Coaches Association (NFCA) says it has set K745 000 as minimum wage for their members coaching Super League teams.

The body’s general secretary Davie Mpima said the resolution was made after thorough consultations with their members.

He said coaching in the top-flight league is a demanding task which requires a satisfactory package.

Mpima said, among others, they arrived at the figure after comparing with what national league club coaches from neighbouring countries such as Mozambique, Zambia and Zimbabwe get.

“What our coaches are currently  getting is peanuts compared to the demands of their work,”  he said.

However, Super League of Malawi (Sulom) general secretary (GS) Williams Banda said issues of perks  are agreed between coaches and their employers; hence, it does not make sense for the  association to set a  minimum wage.

“Our advice is that NFCA should be part of contract negotiations when a team intends to hire a coach,” he said.

Some teams have since expressed mixed reactions to the development.

Nyasa Big Bullets chief administration officer Albert Chigoga described the move as a welcome development, saying it is in the best interest of the coaches’ welfare.

Mzuzu Warriors chairperson Albert Mtungambera Harawa agreed with Chigoga, saying it is a step in the right direction.

“It is the way to go. What is important is that we should ensure that our clubs are financially sound; otherwise coaches, indeed deserve better perks,” he said.

On the other hand, Ntopwa FC owner Isaac Jomo Osman, who doubles as the club’s technical director, described the minimum wage set by the coaches body as exorbitant.

“Who will do that? That is not possible! Where are we going to get the money from? If you want to kill football continue advocating that,” he said.

Football Association of Malawi (FAM) GS Alfred Gunda said more needs to be looked into before enforcing the minimum wage.

“There is need for more consultations with various stakeholders before it can be implemented,” he said.

Football analyst George Kaudza Masina said putting the minimum wage at K745 000 is a  good starting point for bargaining. However, he doubted its implementation looking at the current standards of football in the country.

The development comes weeks after FAM also announced that it would enforce government minimum wage on clubs for Super League players in the 2020 season. Government minimum wage for all employees in the 2019/20 financial year is at K35 000 per month.