FAM in tight spot over next Flames coach

Football Association of Malawi (FAM) has said government’s move to redeploy the former Flames coaching panel will put it in a tight situation as it cannot hire another coach unless a special vote is created.

FAM president Walter Nyamilandu on Sunday said the fact that government has decided to maintain the services of the three means resources for the engagement of another coach will not be automatic.

“We are still in a tight situation because, as it is, the vote of the next coach, be it interim or permanent, is not available unless an approval is made by government to create a special vote.

“It is not automatic that government will sponsor the hiring of the new coach because even for the new coach, the question will be who will be responsible for his pay because government is still paying for the three coaches who have been redeployed.

“So, we are faced with challenges on how to fill up this vacancy because funding for this position is not certain,” said Nyamilandu.

Asked if FAM cannot afford to meet costs of hiring an interim coach, Nyamilandu said: “I do not see anyone accepting to take up the post on peanuts.

“We would want someone that would be fully committed to the cause. So, as it is options are open, but the crucial question will be who will finance the employment of the new coach as all doors are closed?”

But Nyamilandu said having finalised the issue of the removed coaches, the association will go ahead to name an interim coach later this week as it is facing a race against time to start preparing for 2014 World Cup qualifier against Namibia’s Brave Warriors next month.

“We should be making an announcement soon now that the process has been concluded,” said Nyamilandu.

However, Principal Secretary II in the Ministry of Youth and Sports Justin Saidi said they would wait for official communication from FAM.

“Indications are that they [FAM] would want to engage an interim coach for the time being and perhaps we will have to wait for formal communication and see how we can handle the matter.

“But I would want to assure the general public that the matter will be looked into with urgency,” said Saidi.

Last week, FAM chief executive officer Suzgo Nyirenda said it has names of coaches in mind that will be considered to take up the posts in an interim role.

So far names that have been thrown into fray include Young Chimodzi, who was Kinnah’s deputy, South Africa-based trio of Ernest Mtawali, Patrick Mabedi and John Maduka, Yasin Osman, Eddington Ng’onamo and Surestream academy head coach Andy Dale.

Meanwhile, Saidi has said it is the prerogative of government to relocate its employees Kinnah and his colleagues as and when it wishes.

“The decision was done purely in line with the Employment Act,” he said.

The three have been redeployed to regional sports development offices of the Malawi National Council of Sports.

Asked whether they will still be enjoying the same benefits, Saidi said: “These are government employees who are on contracts, they have just been reallocated, that is all I can say.”

Reacting to the development, Kinnah said he would have to consult his lawyers before coming up with a decision while in principle, both Chimodzi and Chamangwana, indicated that they had accepted government’s decision.