Kaputa set to retire
Football Association of Malawi (FAM) technical director (TD) John Kaputa says he will be retiring at the end of his contract in June next year, ending over two decades romance with the association on various positions.
Kaputa, who has served as FAM TD for seven years, has since written the association, instructing them not to renew his contract and start searching for his replacement.
“It’s time for me to pack up and go. I wrote a letter to FAM informing them not renew my contract which is coming to an end in June next year,” he said.
However, his decision will have to get Fifa’s consent since the world football governing body is responsible for his appointment and perks.
“The job of technical director has indeed an influence of Fifa as well. But it’s up to FAM to write Fifa to explain to them that John intends to stop working with us. Fifa will give its opinion and its stand.”
Asked what will be his next move, the retired Malawi Defence Force (MDF) captain sounded cryptic.
“I have done my job, that’s what I can say. But those who want to tap from my knowledge, they will be able to do so,” he said.
Meanwhile, FAM general secretary Alfred Gunda, while acknowledging receipt of the TD’s letter, asked for more time before commenting on whether the association will accept the request not to renew his contract.
“There is still a long time between now and June next year. We will comment at an appropriate time. Besides, this is a contract issue which we cannot comment on in the media,” he said.
Kaputa, who is also Malawi Olympic Committee (MOC) general secretary, replaced the late Jack Chamangwana as TD in 2013 with Charles Manda as his assistant.
Apart from being regarded as one of the best Confederation of African Football (CAF) instructors in the Council for Southern Africa Football Association (Cosafa), Kaputa is also coaches’ instructors’ trainer.
He also had stints with Malawi national football teams and was briefly caretaker coach for the Flames in 1994 after the exit of Mathias Mwenda.
Kaputa was also in charge of the Under-17 national football team which qualified for the Africa Youth Championship and the Under-17 World Cup in 2009.
He was also part of the technical panel for the Under-20 national team which qualified for the 1999 Africa Youth Championship, which was led by German technical adviser Manfred Hoener.
The seasoned trainer later served as Malawi national football team full coach in 2004 before being replaced by Yasin Osman.
Before his appointment as TD, he served as Malawi Under-20 national football team coach and led the team at Cosafa Championship in 2011.
At MDF, Kaputa was also one of the officers that helped improve the institution’s sports department and its Super League football clubs—Moyale Barracks, Red Lions, Kamuzu Barracks and Mafco.
Commenting on Kaputa’s decision to quit at the end of his contract, soccer analyst Charles Nyirenda said the veteran coach could still contribute to the development of football.
“He has vast knowledge of Malawi football, an institution on his own, more especially when it comes to training of coaches. We can indeed still tap from his vast knowledge,” he said.
