Zakazaka ‘roped’ in Afcon squad

Football Association of Malawi (FAM) competitions and communications director Gomezgani Zakazaka has been appointed as assistant general coordinator at the forthcoming  delayed 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) in Ivory Coast.

With the Flames’ failure to qualify for the continental showpiece back-to-back and local referees’ absence at the African safari, Zakazaka will be the sole Malawian who will be actively involved in the behind the scenes operations.

FAM president Fleetwood Haiya and his predecessor Walter Nyamilandu, who is a Confederation of African Football (CAF) executive member, will also grace the event in their official capacities.

The tournament will run from January 13 to February 11.

Zakazaka, who is scheduled to depart for Ivory Coast today, is among the 24 coordinators selected for the event and will be based in Bouake.

In an interview on Monday,  he said to be chosen for a task at Afcon is an honour.

Said Zakazaka: “This is the prime of African football and I feel humbled. It is a breakthrough for Malawi football because I stand to learn a lot and the knowledge I will tap there will help develop our game.

“It shows the confidence that CAF has in Malawi and that there are some things that we are doing right in as far as match organisation is concerned.

“I have coordinated matches in junior Afcon tournaments, Super Cup, World Cup and Afcon qualifiers, but this is a different stage and I am excited.”