Massa takes FAM to task over Gaba

The Malawi Schools Sports Association (Massa) has said it is worried that wonderkid Gabadinho Mhango’s continued involvement with the Flames could affect his Junior Certificate (JC) examinations.

Gabadinho is scheduled to sit for his JC examinations at Chichiri Secondary School from next week.

Massa general secretary Blackson Malamula said they will formally raise the issue with FAM leadership within the week.

The development comes in the wake of Flames caretaker coach Eddington Ng’onamo’s insistence that Gabadinho would remain part of the team.

“To begin with, the boy should not even have featured [in last weekend’s friendly match] against Zimbabwe considering that he is supposed to start writing his exams soon.

“He certainly should have been excused to concentrate on revision work at school, especially considering that he failed to sit for the same exams last year,” said Malamula.

“The FAM president [Walter Nyamilandu] is himself a university graduate and played football at the highest level on the local scene, including the national team and he should know better. So, we will formally raise our concerns with FAM.”

Malamula also said FAM and the coaching panel should have been in the forefront encouraging players to concentrate on their education.

“Football is a short-term career and no matter how good one is in any kind of sporting activity, they need to concentrate on their education so as to have something to fall on after their careers.

“In fact, even rich players such as George Weah had to return to school after hanging up his boots and that just shows the importance of education,” he said.

FAM commercial and PRO manager Casper Jangale conceded that the initial move to include the player in the squad was a mistake.

“Even the president expressed his reservations against the move.

“The player should have indeed been excused to concentrate on his studies and also considering that the current period is crucial because it is for revision sessions ahead of the exams.

“The concerns have already been put forward to the head coach and he has assured us that Gaba will no longer train with the team when they regroup on Wednesday,” said Jangale.

Asked if they are ready to take the blame should the player fail his exams, Jangale said: “Let us not speculate. The most important thing is that the abnormality has been noted and it will be corrected. Otherwise, as an association, we encourage players to take their studies seriously and it is our hope that Gaba will excel in his exams. We wish him all the best.”

Ng’onamo also changed his stance on Gabadinho: “He has been excused to concentrate on his forthcoming examinations. It
is important that his focus should be on the exams.”

The player refused to comment on the matter on Monday.