Ramadhan has advantage—FAM

Football Association of Malawi (FAM) general secretary Suzgo Nyirenda has said the Flames’ 1-0 win over Swaziland, has given interim coach Nsanzurwimo Ramadhan an added advantage to secure the job permanently.

Speaking in an interview with MBC Radio 2 yesterday, Nyirenda said: “The determination regarding the position of coach will be made soon by the executive committee, the meeting might take place this Saturday.

“[But following the win] over Swaziland, I would say Ramadhan has an advantage. Who knows, maybe Ramadhan can be offered the job.”

Nyirenda also said the number of coaches who have enquired about the Flames job has now hit 60.

“There are 55 foreign coaches and five locals who have expressed interest, but as I said, the determination on the way forward will be made by the executive committee,” he said.

On his part, Ramadhan reiterated his interest to take full charge of the team.

“But that is up to the authorities to make a decision, it is not up to me,” he told journalists after the match.

His one-month contract ends this Saturday.

But analysts Humphrey Mvula and Charles Nyirenda have since advised FAM to exercise caution in the process of hiring the next coach.

Said Mvula: “The team played relatively well despite the jittery defence, but I would rather be slow and cautious to use the game against Swaziland as a yardstick to appoint Ramadhan as coach. Minus the personal contribution from individual players, I did not see the technical input that can be attributed to the work of a coach.

“The period for preparations was short and the opposition was weak. The result was only 1-0. FAM should go beyond appointing someone on the strength of one, rather it should carry out a proper analysis of the football environment and come up with a technical document that will guide them on the way forward.

“If we want to appoint a coach, then let us open up the identification process to include several deserving Malawians who are better qualified and more experienced as well rather than hand-picking one individual on the basis of the team’s performance in one game [and] against a weak side.”

On his part, Nyirenda said: “I have no problems with FAM appointing any coaching panel to be trainers of the senior side provided they take into account several factors. Previously, hurried choices have not lasted and this time around, similar miscalculations should be avoided.”

He said what is needed most now is serious reflection as to why the team has been on downward plunge since 2010 so as not to make any impression in qualifiers of regional, continental and global tournaments.