Walter cautious
Football Association of Malawi (FAM) president Walter Nyamilandu says he expects a tough battle as he vies for a CAF executive member position during elections scheduled for today in Benin.
He faces incumbent Confederation of African Football (CAF) executive member Mohamed Ally Samir Sobha from Mauritius and Mokhosi Mohapi of Lesotho in a three-horse race for the Council for Southern Africa Football Associations (Cosafa) slot.
Sobha has been a CAF executive member since 2019 and has headed the Mauritius Football Federation from 2014. On the other hand, Mohapi has been in football administration since 2000, first as an administration and facilities manager for Lesotho Football Association before rising to his current post of general secretary.
In an interview yesterday, Nyamilandu, who first served as CAF executive member by virtue of being a Fifa Council member between 2019 and 2021, said: “It’s 50-50, the campaign is very intense.
“Things are very fluid so you need to stay close to the events, especially when you are up against an incumbent. So, it’s not easy to unseat him.
“Last time, I lost the Fifa Council member position, so I am very cautious and I am not underrating anyone.”
He said his strength lies in his vast experience in football administration both at local and international levels.
Said Nyamilandu: “Apart from FAM, I have served at top level in Fifa, CAF and Cosafa and people have seen my contribution and they respect me for that.
“I have a lot of goodwill and support from Cosafa which makes it easy to go to other zones. But as I said, it’s 50-50 at this stage, Anything can happen, it depends on the promises and alliances one makes and today [yesterday] will be critical.”
On his plans should he be elected, he said: “To be there for members as most people go there for personal reasons. I will be there to serve members and my experience will also benefit CAF.”
On what Malawi stands to benefit should he win, the FAM president said new doors are bound to open.
Said Nyamilandu: “New doors will open for FAM and football administrators. Some things also come through networking and influence and projects such as Nsanje Stadium and Luwinga Academy come to mind.
“I will also push for more technical developments such as referees and coaches’ courses, women’s football development and I will leverage to negotiate for strategic opportunities.”
Football pundit and former FAM executive committee member George Kaudza Masina said Nyamilandu’s vast experience gives him an edge over his competitors.
He said: “It is the wish of every football-loving Malawian that we have a representation at Cosafa, CAF and Fifa.
“That our own football czar Walter Nyamilandu is vying for a CAF seat under Cosafa is good for our football.
“With his vast experience as the longest-serving FA president in Africa, Nyamilandu has got all the chances of beating his two opponents in the bloc.
“The advantage with Nyamilandu is more to do with his connections and recognition in the region and beyond, but he needs to keep his eyes wide open and play his cards well because it certainly won’t be a stroll in the park.”
