Mabedi, Msakauona offered one-year deals

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nder-20 and Under-17 national football team coaches Patrick Mabedi and DeKlerk Msakakuona respectively, have been offered one-year deals by government.

The contracts will be effective July 1.

Ministry of Youth and Sports spokesperson Simon Mbvundula said the duo will be expected to sign contracts once they accept the offers.

“It will be assumed that they have accepted the offers once they report for work and, thereafter, the contracts will be drawn for them to put pen to paper,” he said.

Mbvundula also said other terms relating to the deals will be contained in their respective contracts.

On how FAM will assess the performance of the two coaches in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic which has affected international tournaments, Football Association of Malawi (FAM) president Walter Nyamilandu said: “Even though the season has not started due to Covid-19, there will be a lot of work for them. We will develop key performance indicators for them.”

He said the two coaches will need to get started by preparing for international competitions.

“This will involve drawing up training programmes, developing programmes of talent identification and how they will be nurturing and monitoring the talent.”

Mabedi, a former assistant coach for South African Premier Soccer League sides Kaizer Chiefs and Black Leopards said he is looking forward to his new challenge.

He said: “It is an honour and a privilege to help my country.

“I feel sad to see our nation not being successful in big tournaments and it’s time to start afresh from youth level.”

Meanwhile, TNM Super League side Blue Eagles have replaced Msakakuona with the club’s former assistant coach Christopher Sibale.

Eagles general secretary William Nkhoma said Sibale will be assisted by Wilson Chidanti.

Reacting to his appointment, Sibale said: “This is a challenging role that I am looking forward to.”