Fazili hopes for new Scorchers’ deal
Scorchers’ immediate-past coach Lovemore Fazili hopes that Football Association of Malawi (FAM) will not delay further to offer him a new deal to ensure that the women’s team does not lose track.
FAM committed to give Fazili the new contract following his success at the recent Cosafa Women’s Championship in South Africa where he guided the Scorchers to their first-ever title.
After the Cosafa triumph, Fazili told the media that the Scorchers needed further drilling ahead of future tournaments through residential camps and international friendlies.
He said: “There is a lot that needs to be done to build a much stronger team for bigger competitions, including the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations [Wafcon] qualifiers, which will start immediately after the finals of the 2024 edition scheduled for August.”
Fazili said he already drew a training programme for the team.
Said the coach: “I still maintain contact with the players through a WhatsApp group forum, where we continue to discuss some technical issues, including how they can keep themselves in good shape.
“Time is now when we can rope in new faces and see how they can adapt to our set standards.”
In October 2023, FAM emergency committee recommended the establishment of a permanent coach post for the Scorchers and the recruitment of Fazili on a two-year deal.
Then, FAM explained in a statement: “To ensure the sustained progress and development of the national women’s football team, the committee has resolved to recommend the establishment of a permanent Scorchers’ coach position.”
Meanwhile, FAM has only finalised the deal of Flames coach Patrick Mabedi, who signed a two-year contract a month ago.
Apart from the Scorchers, the Under-20 men’s national football team also has no coach since Mabedi was appointed the Flames care-taker in April 2023.
National Women’s Football Association chairperson Adelaide Migogo said she is hopeful the issue of the Scorchers’ coach will be sorted out soon.
“We are keeping our fingers crossed that everything will be addressed soon. However, it all depends on the FAM technical committee’s recommendations and the eventual approval by the executive committee,” she said.
FAM first vice-president Madalitso Christopher Kuyera, who has just been appointed the local football governing body’s technical committee chairperson, on Friday said they are aware of the vacancies in the women’s and junior national teams and they are “doing something about it”.
He said: “As a technical committee, we had a meeting last Saturday and these issues were discussed.
“We have come up with recommendations, which we hope will be approved at the FAM executive meeting in Mangochi this Saturday [today].”
