Mabedi, accepts Flames contract after lengthy talks
Malawi National Football Team coach Patrick Mabedi has finally signed a two-year deal after about three months of contractual talks with the Football Association of Malawi (FAM).
FAM appointed the former Flames captain as coach on a two-year deal in October, but it took time for the two parties to agree the terms.
Mabedi, who was given the target of qualifying for the Morocco 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) finals, confirmed in an interview yesterday that he has signed the contract, which runs from December 1 2023.
However, he could not give finer details of the deal.
“It’s an honour to finally sign the deal after some lengthy talks,” he said.
On why it was taking long to finalise the contractual talks, Mabedi said: “It was a matter of ensuring that while I agree on the conditions I was given, the other party also meets my conditions. As they offered me a glass of water to drink, I also had to ensure that my hands were capable of receiving the drink.”
The former FCB Nyasa Bullets defender said he has since rejected numerous mouth-watering offers from top clubs in South Africa, where he played and captained Kaizer Chiefs, and other countries.
“As I was waiting for the contractual talks to finalise, I got numerous offers from South Africa and other countries, but I rejected them because I want to finish my project of improving the Flames’ performance.
“However, I am hopeful that I will be fully supported in all areas to achieve the vision.”
FAM general secretary Alfred Gunda could neither deny nor confirm the latest development as he asked for more time before he could comment.
National Football Coaches Association general secretary Davie Mpima said they are excited that their wish to see a local coach signing a permanent deal as Flames coach has been granted.
“After his recent impressive performance, we recommended his name to FAM and we are happy that he is now officially a permanent coach. Asthe coaches body, we will give him full support and our door is open if he needs our advice,” he said.
Mabedi was appointed as Flames coach following his performance a caretaker coach.
After replacing expatriate coach Romanian Mario Marinica, Mabedi guided the national football team to a fourth place finish at the 2023 Cosafa Cup in South Africa, where he did not lose a match in open play in four games. The Flames also registered goalless draw against Ethiopia and drew two-all against Guinea in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Since his appointment as a permanent coach, Mabedi has been in chargeof two Fifa World Cup qualifying matches The Flames beat hosts Liberia 1-0 to register their historic victory in West Africa before going down by the same margin to Tunisia at home.
