Goshen City Dedza Dynamos are courting Flames legends Kinnah Phiri and Ernest Mtawali in a bid to boost their technical team.
Prophet Shepherd Bushiri’s spokesperson Aubrey Kusakala yesterday confirmed the development, saying this is in line with the vision of Goshen City, Dynamos’ new sponsors.
He said they have approached Kinnah, who is also deputy director of sports in the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture, to play an advisory role in the team’s current technical panel as they fight TNM Super League relegation and are discussing with South Africa-based coach Mtawali to head the technical team next season if it survives the elite league chop.
challenge. I Courtesy of Ernest Mtawali
Kinnah and Mtawali are among the most celebrated former Malawian footballers and were once Flames’ coaches.
“We approached Kinnah to seek his advice on how Dynamos can avoid relegation this season. He has a vast experience both as a player and a coach and we believe he can help us out,” said Kusakala.
“As for Mtawali, we are in discussion with him on the possibility of heading the team next season if we survive relegation. He showed interest in joining the team and discussions are at management level at Goshen City.”
Currently, Dynamos are just a point above the relegation zone in the 16-team league and need to win their six remaining fixtures to avoid the chop.
After playing 24 games, Dynamos are 13th with 24 points, the same as 12th-placed Mafco FC, who have superior goal-difference and a game in hand.
Dynamos are also a point ahead of 14th-positioned Mighty Tigers, four points in front of 15th-placed Mzuzu City Hammers and 18 points better than table anchors Songwe Border United.
On his part, Kinnah said he has accepted the offer and he will do his best to help the team remain in top-flight football.
Last weekend, Kinnah watched Dynamos’ home game against Tigers, which ended one-all, as one way of identifying areas that need improvement.
Kinnah, who qualified the Flames to qualify for the 2010 African Cup of Nations in Angola, said he is confident the team can avoid relegation if it wins at least three of their remaining games.
On the other hand, Mtawali, who holds a Uefa A and CAF A coaching licences, confirmed his interest to coach the club.
“Considering Prophet Bushiri’s ambitious project to take the team to greater heights, I feel I would fit in with a long-term rebuilding plan, factoring in some short-term targets. It would be an exciting challenge,” he said.
Last week, Bushiri said while he is impressed with the team’s performance, he feels its technical team needs strengthening.
“I am impressed with the team’s performance, but not its [technical] strategy,” he said.
