FAM rebuffed
Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture has snubbed a Football Association of Malawi (FAM) request to offer contracts to Flames’ assistant coaches who will double as Under-20 and Under-17 national team coaches.
Instead, the ministry’s spokesperson Simon Mbvundula yesterday said in an interview the posts will be advertised in the press to give more coaches an opportunity to try their luck.
Last year, FAM submitted a request to government to consider putting on government payroll the Flames’ head coach and his two assistants, who would double as head coaches for the Under-20 and Under-17 national teams.
during a national team game
However, only the head coach Meck Mwase has been considered for a year-long contract, which is ready for signing this week.
Mbvundula said the government has nodded to Mwase’s contract because it was a special case, but the assistants have to go through the normal employment procedures.
“Mwase has been considered for the contract after stakeholders’ recommendations following his impressive performance at the recent Cosafa Championship [where the Flames lost 5-4 on post-match penalties to hosts South Africa in the Plate final],” he said.
“As for the other posts, we will advertise them, hopefully, this month. We believe coaches have to compete for these other positions. Eligible coaches should apply and have a competitive process. They should go through the normal channels of recruitment.”
FAM general secretary Alfred Gunda yesterday said they have no problem with government’s decision.
“However, we are hopeful that the employment process would be done in good time, considering that the Under-17 national team will have a tournament in July,” he said.
Gunda clarified that the current Flames assistant coach LovemoreFazili is on FAM’s payroll.
He added that Bob Mpinganjira, who Mwase recommended as assistant coach alongside Fazili, is the Flames fitness trainer and is engaged by FAM “as and when there is an assignment” as is the case with goalkeeper trainers and other technical staff.
FAM appointed Mwase in June 2019 and gave him freedom to choose his own backroom staff. He chose Fazili and Mpinganjira to be his assistants.
Peter Mponda and Deklerk Msakakuona were deployed as interim coaches for the Under-20 and Under-17 national teams, respectively.
