Fazili laments Scorchers’ contract delays

Scorchers’ immediate-past head coach Lovemore Fazili says Football Association of Malawi’s (FAM) delay to offer him a new contract is affecting his livelihood as he is struggling to provide for his family.

FAM committed to give Fazili a new contract following his success at the 2023 Cosafa Women’s Championship in South Africa where he guided the Scorchers to their first-ever title.

In an interview on Tuesday, the coach said he is struggling to make ends meet since he is no longer receiving a salary after his initial eight-month contract expired on December 31 2023.

He said he has was counting on FAM’s commitment made seven months ago to give him a two-year contract, but  he is now regretting turning down five offers from TNM Super League clubs.

Said Fazili: “It has been months since I stopped receiving a salary upon the expiry of my contract. As you know, coaching is my main source of income, but my hands are tied because of the promised new deal.

“I already turned down five offers from some Super League clubs because I was in a dilemma. I was afraid of being trapped in some unnecessary disputes.”

The 2023 Malawi Sport Awards National Team Coach of the Year added that he was hopeful that FAM would speed up the process to ensure that the women’s team does not lose track ahead of the Cosafa title defence this October.

Fazili said he already drew a training programme for the women’s national football team and still maintains contact with the players through a WhatsApp group, where they discuss some technical issues.

In  October 2023, FAM emergency committee recommended the establishment of a permanent  post for the Scorchers’ coach and the recruitment of Fazili on a two-year deal.

But in an interview on Tuesday, FAM competitions and communications director Gomezgani Zakazaka said they are still engaging government on the deployment of coaches for the women’s and junior national teams.

“Negotiations are still ongoing and we are hopeful everything will be finalised soon,” he said.

However, Ministry of Youth and Sports spokesperson McMillan Mwale on Tuesday said although discussions are  underway with FAM, they are  yet to receive a formal request from the local football governing body on coaches’ issue.

“Of course, there have been some meetings with FAM on that issue, but we are yet to get a written communication. Once that is done, we will see how we can move forward,” he said.