Kinnah, others sign new two-year contracts

Flames coach Kinnah Phiri, his assistant Young Chimodzi and technical adviser Jack Chamangwana on Monday signed their new two-year contracts.

Government and Kinnah confirmed the news in separate interviews after the signing ceremony.

“I am happy that finally that issue is over and done with. Now, our focus will be on making sure we beat Ghana to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) in 2014. I am thankful to government for considering all my grievances in this new contract,” said Kinnah.

Chimodzi and Chamangwana also signed theirs.

Sports Minister Enoch Chihana was full of praise for the three.

“We (government) are happy that at last they now have new contracts. We have faith in the three gentlemen and we believe that they still have the knowledge of the game that can transform the national team.

“These three gentlemen have done a lot for the nation as players and also in their current positions and deserve another chance,” said Chihana at Capital Hill.

He pledged government support to ensure that the three succeed.

“As I have been saying in the past, with little resources at their disposal, these gentlemen had managed to deliver. It is not easy if you look at the resources our opponents have. But I have to emphasise that the Joyce Banda-led government will provide resources for the national team to make their job easier,” he said.

The Flames technical team has a tough task on October 13, to reverse a 2-0 deficit they suffered in Accra, Ghana in the first leg of the Afcon qualification. A loss will mean outright eviction, but Kinnah is positive about a win.

“I have told my players to go into the game with a positive attitude and so, too, every Malawian. This is a game of football and it is possible to score even more than three goals in 90 minutes. They just need self-belief,” said Kinnah on Monday.