Immediate-past Flames head coach Patrick Mabedi has been linked with Lesotho Premier League outfit Matlama FC, The Nation understands.
The Kaizer Chiefs legend is among coaches earmarked to succeed Halemakale Mahlaha, whose contract expires at the end of this month, according to online publication Lesotho Soccer News.
The publication reported: “Former Malawi senior national team head coach Patrick Mabedi is among the candidates who have applied for the head coach position at Matlama FC, just weeks after the club announced the vacancy.”
Mabedi will fight for the position against other foreigners Ghanaian Musah Mohammed, Zambian duo of Wedson Nyirenda and Christopher Mwanza, South Africans Bongani Maseko and Morena Lothane, Nigerian Edafetano Paul, Finish Steven Polack and Moussa Benzeroual of Morocco.
In an interview from South Africa, Mabedi, who has been inactive since October 2024, said his manager was weighing several options and that his manager would announce his next move after negotiations.
He said: “I know my manager is busy with few teams in South Africa and across the borders. I am sure when he is done he will make a statement.”
Matlama, based in Maseru and founded in 1932, were last year runners-up in the topflight league.
Mabedi was appointed Flames coach in October 2023 on a two-year contract.
He was given targets to qualify for the 2025 TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon), reach the 2024 Cosafa Cup semi-finals and at least finish second in Fifa 2026 World Cup qualifying group L.
Football Association of Malawi (FAM) fired Mabedi in October 2024 after Malawi failed to qualify for the 2024 Afcon finals after losing four matches against Burundi, Burkina Faso and twice to Senegal.
Mabedi, through his lawyers Makiyi, Kanyenda and Associates, sued FAM for unlawful termination of contract of employment and breach of contract of employment.
He is demanding about K157 million compensation for the remainder of his contract.
The case started with mediation between the two sides in February.
