Flames new coach plans put on ice

FAM’s plan to engage a full-time coach for the Flames has been put on ice pending the outcome of negotiations with government.

The decision was made at the Football Association of Malawi’s (FAM) executive committee quarterly meeting held in Mzuzu on Saturday.

FAM president Walter Nyamilandu said the plan to engage the senior national team coaching panel has been shelved until December.

“The plan is to have a new panel in December. We are not panicking because we do not have any engagements until next year.

“We are looking at continuing discussions with government regarding the issue of perks since the package for the Flames coaching panel is still being paid to the previous coaching panel [which comprised Kinnah Phiri as coach, Young Chimodzi as his deputy and Jack Chamangwana as technical adviser].

“Until the situation is clear as to who will pay for the coaches, we cannot hire even a caretaker panel due to lack of funding,” said Nyamilandu.

He also said the meeting endorsed a suggestion to request for additional funding from government to enable the Flames participate in the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations which kicks off in March next year.

Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Youth and Sports Justin Saidi said they will wait for FAM to brief them on the outcome of the meeting to discuss if their request to engage a coaching panel, be it permanent or temporary, are feasible.

“The float of Flames coaching panel is indeed still going to the previous coaching, but perhaps we can come up with cost-sharing mechanisms.

“They now have a full marketing department which should be vibrant and we can be supplementing the budget because as government, we cannot meet all their requirements as we have to attend to other crucial needs.

“In a nutshell, I would say it is an issue that requires in-depth input and discussions,” said Saidi.

Former Flames on-field leader Peter Mponda said while there is need for a coach, FAM is right to have the matter sorted out before hiring another panel.

“There is need for a coach so that he can continue the rebuilding exercise and monitor the performance of the players ahead of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations.

“But at the same time, we have to bear with FAM as they are in a tight situation. They cannot hire a coaching panel without government’s commitment. It is important that government should normalise the situation,” said Mponda.

The recent interim coaching panel had Belgian Tom Saintfiet as coach with Eddingtone Ng’onamo and Patrick Mabedi as his deputies.

Before that, Ng’onamo was in charge assisted by Mabedi and Ernest Mtawali.