Malawi Coach Kinnah Phiri fired

Blantyre, Malawi – FAM has appointed Big Bullets Coach Eddington Ng’onamo as Flames Caretaker Coach. His assistants will be former Malawi National Team players Earnest “Wire” Mtawali and Patrick “General” Mabedi. Team Manager: Charles Manda; Team Doctor: Kondwani Kachipanda

FAM said the above will be in charge “until the end of 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifiers in September 2013 and is subject to the offer being accepted.”

The press release also reads: “Football Association of Malawi has taken up the matter with the Ministry of Youth Development and Sports on the funding of these positions. Formal arrangements will be made in due course to hold a press briefing with the Coaches once all negotiations have been finalised.”

World Cup Brazil 2014 Qualifiers -Remaining Fixtures (Group F):

22-26 Marc 2013: Namibia vs Malawi; Nigeria vs Kenya
07-11 June 2013: Malawi vs Namibia; Kenya vs Nigeria
14-18 June 2013: Malawi vs Kenya; Namibia vs Nigeria
06-10 Sept 2013: Nigeria vs Malawi; Kenya vs Namibia

So far the four teams have played 2 matches each

Nigeria = 4 points (Nigeria 1:0 Namibia; Malawi 1:1 Nigeria)
Namibia = 3 points (Nigeria 1:0 Namibia; Namibia 1:0 Kenya)
Malawi = 2 points (Kenya 0:0 Malawi; Malawi 1:1 Nigeria)
Kenya = 1 point (Kenya 0:0 Malawi; Namibia 1:0 Kenya)

Finally, the man is in charge…let us hope FAM will provide the necessary support to the Technical panel. Ng’onamo is one of the best coaches the country ever has. FAM, you have made a well informed decision.

Mr. Eddingtone Ng’onamo and the whole technical backroom staff, may God be with you. God bless you, God bless Malawi.

Ndatha wanu,

Boy Phwitika, Chikwanje the Ngemba, Makina.

Chikwanje, I knew you would be back. By the way, has he already accepted the offer?

According to Daily Times, Ng’onamo yesterday said that he was still waiting for an official communication from FAM.

“I have just heard but they are yet to officially approach me. Possibly I will be meeting them tomorrow (Today)”

By the way, government (not FAM) will pay his salary. So I don’t know what the meeting with FAM will be about. I am sure he will ask FAM what he will be getting. Will FAM have an answer readily available?

“Since we have a situation where FAM is going to recruit a coach, they will give us a report and then we will see what we can do. That’s all I can say.” – Director of Sports in the ministry of sports Jamieson Ndalama as quoted by Daily Times.

FAM president Walter Nyamilandu on Sunday said the fact that government has decided to maintain the services of the three (Kinnah, Young and Jack) means resources for the engagement of another coach will not be automatic.

“We are still in a tight situation because, as it is, the vote of the next coach, be it interim or permanent, is not available unless an approval is made by government to create a special vote.

“It is not automatic that government will sponsor the hiring of the new coach because even for the new coach, the question will be who will be responsible for his pay because government is still paying for the three coaches who have been redeployed.

“So, we are faced with challenges on how to fill up this vacancy because funding for this position is not certain,” said Nyamilandu.

Asked if FAM cannot afford to meet costs of hiring an interim coach, Nyamilandu said: “I do not see anyone accepting to take up the post on peanuts.

“We would want someone that would be fully committed to the cause. So, as it is options are open, but the crucial question will be who will finance the employment of the new coach as all doors are closed?”

Mtawali, yesterday, said in a telephone interview (with Daily Times) from Johannesburg that he has not yet been officially communicated.

“But if that is the case then I cannot say no to my country,” he said.

By the way, what goals has FAM set for the caretaker coaches? IF the Flames make it to the next round will FAM still look for a foreign coach?

Qualifying for World Cup should be the target

Oliver, qualifying for World Cup should be the target? Seriously?

By sscouser | November 14th, 2012 at 12:11 pm

FAM sets 2015 AFCON Qualification Target
Nation Sports (14 November 2012)

Football Association of Malawi (FAM) has set qualification for 2015 Africa Cup of Nations as one of the targets for the Flames coaching panel, or face the chop.

FAM first vice-president Moses Mkandawire, who is head of the association’s technical subcommittee, said the target was agreed at a meeting held at the weekend.

He said the other target is either qualify for the next round of the 2014 World Cup qualifiers or, at least, finish second in their group that also has Nigeria’s Super Eagles, Namibia’s Brave Warriors and Kenya’s Harambee Stars.

“Malawians can forgive us when we lose to such teams as Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire, but if we fail to beat teams such as Namibia and Kenya [in World Cup Qualifiers], Malawians won’t forgive us,” said Mkandawire.

…

The caretaker coaches will have lots of valid excuses if the Flames will fail to beat “teams such as Namibia and Kenya“.

Local coaches committee endorses Ng’onamo
Nation Sports

The Malawi National Coaches Committee (MNCC) has endorsed the ‘hiring’ of Big Bullets coach Eddington Ng’onamo as Flames stand-in coach, but queried specialised goalkeeper trainer’s exclusion on the panel.

MNCC chairperson John Kaputa on Thursday said Football Association of Malawi (FAM) consulted them on the choice of the caretakers whose mandate runs up to September this year.

Ng’onamo, his assistants Ernest Mtawali and Patrick Mabedi are yet to officially accept the offers.

“We proposed names of coaches to FAM and they have not taken anyone outside the list. Our list included a goalkeeper trainer, but they have not picked anybody. That is another important specialised position. We will raise this with FAM,” said Kaputa while pledging players’ selection support to Ng’onamo.

FAM chief executive officer Suzgo Nyirenda admitted that the need for a keeper trainer was raised by the coaches, “but we will come back to you on that issue.”

Ng’onamo, Mabedi and Mtawali, replace relocated Kinnah Phiri, Young Chimodzi and Jack Chamangwana respectively.

Sports director in the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Jameson Ndalama said FAM informed government on the intention to hire caretaker coaches and “we know the situation with previous coaches.”

Ng’onamo could not be reached for comment.

Football expert Ben Chiwaya hailed Ng’onamo’s appointment, adding: “Mtawali and Mabedi have played football at the highest level, but on their coaching experience, let others comment.”

Meanwhile, our senior sports news analyst Garry Chirwa reports from South Africa that Mtawali and Mabedi have played down suggestions from some quarters that they are not ready for the challenge.

The two said they had confirmed their willingness to take up the tasks having been contacted by FAM president Walter Nyamilandu and his first deputy Moses Mkandawire.

“Every journey starts with a single step. I believe both Patrick and I are ready for Flames roles,” said Mtawali.

Mtawali and Mabedi also said they are ready to work under Ng’onamo.

“I have so much respect for him as a tactician and I do not see why it should be a problem working with him. If anything, we stand to learn a lot working under him,” said Mtawali.

He said he already spoke with Mamelodi Sundowns management and they are willing to come up with a special arrangement on his engagement with the Flames.

Mabedi said having been part of South African Premier Soccer League (PSL) side Moroka Swallows’ coaching panel and having been attached to the Flames technical panel two years ago, he feels he has gained the required experience to be part of the Flames coaching panel.

But the former Flames captain said he can only take up the position depending on the offer that FAM will put forward.

FAM yet to offer coaching panel TORs
Nation Sports

Football Association of Malawi (FAM) is yet to offer the new Flames interim technical panel contractual terms of reference.

Assistant coaches Ernest Mtawali and Patrick Mabedi confirmed that they were yet to be offered terms.

Mabedi said he needs to get an offer from FAM before he can decide whether to take up the job or stick to his current employment at South African Premier Soccer League (PSL) side Moroka Swallows where he works as a development team head coach.

“In principle, my employers have said they would not have problems releasing me on temporary basis for national duty because it will be part of my learning process and they, too, stand to benefit, but I need to get a concrete offer from FAM,” said Mabedi.

Mtawali corroborated Mabedi’s claims, saying: “We got the offer letters, but as for the actual terms, we are yet to be communicated to because the president [Walter Nyamilandu] said they were waiting to meet government.”

Nyamilandu said they were waiting for government’s response, having requested the hiring of the interim coaching panel.

“All the coaching panel members are aware of that. Hopefully, by this week, we should hear from government as some officials are away in South Africa,” said Nyamilandu.

The coaching panel is headed by Eddington Ng’onamo and also includes Charles Manda as team manager.

Sscoucer, up to now, I still haven’t heard anything from FAM. There is a game coming up on 26 March and guess what;

1. The coaches have not been offered the TORs yet (today 12th February, 2013)
2. Part of the new coaching panel is still in South Africa, Mabedi and Mtawali have not watched any local games being played for the past 2 years?(Last weekend, EPAC played with Silver Strikers) and I was hoping to see them there scouting good players for the National Team.
3. The coaches do not even have a clue about their remuneration package yet, what if they deny? Are we not going to delay ourselves further in trying to negotiate, later still look for other expertise.

Govt and FAM, we do not need to be telling you these things. Mr. Nyamilandu, am sure you agree with me!!

Chikwanje, do you by chance know what the Malawi coach does when the Flames are not active? I am asking because I want to find out if it’s necessary to pay the coach a monthly salary. Reportedly, some local coaches used to accuse Mr. Kinnah Phiri of not watching Super League matches.

By the way, why 2 assistant coaches? Why not only 1? Can’t Charles Manda (Team Manager) also act as an assistant coach.

Desperate times call for desperate measures?

Foreign Legion good for Warriors
Namibia Sport (11 February 2013)

The Brave Warriors will benefit a lot from its foreign legion, believes acting coach Benhard Kaanjuka.

Kaanjuka was commenting on the situation where seven of the current Brave Warriors squad are now plying their trade in the Premier Soccer League of South Africa while two more are based in Thailand.

According to Kaanjuka, he will have more time to work on tactics than fitness as these players are exposed to high level fitness programmes.

The players are the University of Pretoria pair of Ronald Ketjijere and Petrus Shitembi, Amazulu’s Willem Mwedihanga, Heinrich Isaacks and Virgil Vries at Maritzburg United, Henrico Botes of Platinum Stars and Orlando Pirates’ Rudolf Bester.

The Thailand-based players are Tangeni Shipahu and Lazarus Kaimbi who are both at Osotspa Saraburi.

“As a coach, it is a good situation for me and it makes me a happy person. Their conditioning and their fitness will now improve to the level whereby I will not have to concentrate on their fitness anymore, but more on their tactics.”

Kaanjuka said that the Brave Warriors class of 1998’s movement to top leagues in the world in Germany, Scotland and South Africa at the time was the backbone of the successful years that followed, and said that a great spell was on the horizon for Namibian football.

“More players left the country after 1998 and they contributed positively to the performance of the Brave Warriors. That was my dream since I took over, namely that more players should leave the country, and now it can be the same or even better,” he said.

Kaanjuka outlined others benefits of playing abroad:

“One is for their wealth and secondly to perform better for their country. My wish is for more players to leave the country. For the CHAN Cup (The CAF championship for home-based players) we have a large pool of players and they will take over and I still believe in them that they will do good for their country.

“Opportunities come only once and if you are the lucky one, grab it and make it your own and perform to the best of your ability. Those that remain behind should not wait for their coaches but they should work harder on their own”, he added.

“seven of the current Brave Warriors squad are now plying their trade in the Premier Soccer League of South Africa”

QUIZ:

How many current Malawi National Team players ply their trade in the Premier Soccer League of South Africa?

Malawi shuts door on foreign coaches
African News (24 October 2008)

Malawi Football Association has closed the door on foreign coaches, saying local tacticians have shown a character, national team ‘Flames’ need. FA president Walter Nyamilandu said even if Malawi qualifies for World Cup in South Africa the incumbent, Kinnah Phiri, would enjoy highest priority.

He said his association will never repeat the 1984 mistake of replacing a local coach with a European man Danny McLeinnan.

In 1984 it is reported that when local coach, Henry Moyo, steered Malawi team to African Nations Cup in Ivory Coast for the very first time ever, authorities replaced him with a European man because they doubted his capability at such a high level.

Consequently the team was bundled out from the showcase in the early stages after losing to Cameroon and hosts Ivory Coast. The players only managed to leave legacy of individual brilliance.

Nyamilandu said: “No more foreign coaches, it is a closed chapter to Malawi football now.

“We will never recruit European coaches, not during our time, we have wasted our money and we have wasted our time and energy, this experience is a good teacher,” said Nyamilandu.

He was referring to two recent European coaches who simply messed up the team despite receiving larger than life salaries. The two are German born, Burkhard Ziese, and Stephen Costantine. The latter resigned after losing to Mozambique in Nations Cup for local based players.

Chronicling how Malawi team of 1984 qualified for Africa Nations Cup Moyo said it was a case of brilliance combined with crude determination.

“Self belief is the answer. During that time we had players like Kinnah Phiri himself, Ernest Mtawali, Jack Chamangwana, Young Chimodzi, Late Clifton Msiya, Harry and Lawrence Waya, Frank Sinalo, Reuben Malola, Holman and Kennedy Malunga among others.“We beat the former Madagascar team which was made up of fine professional footballers of those days, to qualify for the final tourney and we managed to hold Nigeria of those days,” he said.

Meanwhile FAM has asked government to consider upping Kinnah’s perks as a motivating premise. Government is yet to make a statement on the request made by FAM president Walter Nyamilandu during a reception for the team in Blantyre.

Kinnah has since indicated that he would like the team to go into camp earlier in January in readiness for the third round which kicks off next March.

Interesting, I like the combination of Two Topics there, I would not say hiring a foreign coach is a “Mistake” for Malawi. Kim Splidsboel took the team to the highest point in the Cosafa tourney if my memory serves me well. I think Malawi is not ready for an English coach because we lack enough resources to support the coach. The trainer will require 3 strength testing games with Tanzania, South Africa and Angola before the match with Namibia on 26th March, 2013, which FAM cannot afford. The English coaches are frank and organized while FAM lacks both.

Coming to the Issue of Malawian Players playing in South Africa, alot of players have fallen out of grace from the SA leagues. They have found solace in the mediocre Mozambique teams. Chiukepo Msowoya and Joeseph (frequent features for the flames) have led the way.

How do we expect our team to be physically fit, later have the skill required for the National Team. Am sure Ng’onamo will have to rely much on the local players.

The Flames coach having two deputies is abit way too much especially when the resources seems to be kinda limited. FAM should have identified a Malawian deputy to assist Ng’onamo, otherwise I do not see Mabedi and Mtawali contrbuting much to the team in terms of their experience. We do not need people to learn from Ng’onamo, we need people to assist Ng’onamo with his winning formulas. Ng’onamo has inherited a mess just like Joyce Banda claims to have inherited Malawi in a mess.lol

Good luck to both of you, Dr. Joyce Banda and Sir. Eddie Ng’onamo.

“Good luck to both of you, Dr. Joyce Banda and Sir. Eddie Ng’onamo.”

Thank you

Ng’onamo has inherited a mess? What mess?

Fam set to unveil three coaches
Daily Time (13 February 2013)

Fam is still finalising the contracts of the newly appointed Flames coaches who are expected to be officially unveiled to the public next week.

Last week Fam appointed Bullets FC coach Eddington Ng’onamo as the head of the Flames coaching panel with South Africa based Ernest Mtawali and Patrick Mabedi as his assistants.

The three replaced Kinnah Phiri, his assistant Young Chimodzi and technical director Jack Chamangwana who were fired after a string of poor results.

Fam president Walter Nyamilandu said on Tuesday they would call for a press briefing where all the details would be disclosed.

“As of now we are still waiting for feedback from the government [inancers of the coach].It would be premature to disclose our expectations to the coaches before the contracts are finalised,” he said.

He, however, said Fam general secretary Suzgo Nyirenda has already served the new coaches with appointment letters.

The Fam president said the coaching panel would get down to business to start preparing for the forthcoming World Cup qualifier against Namibia in March in Windhoek.

He said they needed to conclude everything by next week.

“We cannot go beyond next week. We don’t have enough time (to prepare).”

Flames have played one game against Nigeria in Blantyre where they drew one- all through a John Banda last minute scorching shot.

Namibia beat Kenya 1-0 in their first game in Windhoek.

Henrico Botes was the hero for the Brave Warriors, beating Arnold Origi from close range in the 75th minute with a barren draw written all over the chilly Windhoek encounter.

The result, after Nigeria drew with the Flames, means Kenya, with just a point, taken from the barren draw with the Flames, are bottom of the group and are also the only side yet to score a goal in the group.

Scoucer I am just quoting what the Nation News Paper wrote I think on Monday. The flames team seem to be in a mess, starting from administration wise to the players themselves.

The team seems to lack motivation, for example, the players are not well compensated for their game time…worst still, they are paid later than anticipated.

Malawians are known for their hard work that is why they try to give in their all despite the small package, but am just thinking they can even deliver to the highest order if they were to palm oiled handsomely. Further, be paid on time.

Preparations, up to now, the team has not even started preparations yet. The Malawi govt, with the new Madam assuming the highest office seem to have less or zero interest in football.

As the coaching panel is trying to come up with a new set of players that fit within their strategy, I was hoping they would be given ample time to do so…starting the day they were nominated. Alas!! Their seems to be nothing tangible on the ground on the ground since their selection.

Which team are we going to play with in preparation for Namibia? Who are the likely players to dominate the squad? When are they going to resume camp? How long are they going to train in Camp? Where?

I think these questions should have been addressed by now if were an organized and serious nation. Otherwise, the coach may be forced to use the same players, tactics that Kinnah was using due to limited time. Building a team is not a One Week exercise.

Maybe this is a mess they were talking about.

Chikwanje, now this is messed up:

Govt says coaching panel hiring not automatic
14 February 2013

Malawi government has said there are a number of factors to be looked into before it can offer deals to members of the Flames interim coaching panel.

FAM president Walter Nyamilandu on Wednesday said negotiations with government are still ongoing with regard to the offer of the coaching panel.

However, principal secretary in the Ministry of Youth and Sports Alex Mseka said it is not automatic that the offers for the interim coaching panel will be approved.

“I got the letter from FAM [Tuesday] and we are looking into it,” said Mseka.

And just like Nyamilandu’s recent fears, Mseka also said the hiring of the interim panel will not be a straightforward issue following government’s decision to redeploy the former coaching panel led by Kinnah Phiri.

“It will not be automatic because we still have the previous panel still working in government. But as I said, we will look into the conditions and come up with a decision very soon,” said Mseka.

FAM proposed to government the hiring of Eddington Ng’onamo as head coach, with Ernest Mtawali and Patrick Mabedi as his deputies whereas Charles Manda and Captain Kondwani Kachipanda were named team manager and team doctor, respectively.

Meanwhile, South African top clubs Moroka Swallows and Mamelodi Sundows have said they are waiting to hear from Mabedi and Mtawali respectively before determining the way forward.

All this could have been avoided. Communication, communication, communication.

By the way, is there a Plan B?

“Scoucer I am just quoting what the Nation News Paper wrote I think on Monday”

This undated one?:

Fixing crashed Malawi Flames
Category: National Sports Written by Peter Kanjere

Experienced career coach and teacher, Eddington Ng’onamo is the man Football Association of Malawi (FAM) thinks can, with the help of inexperienced Patrick Mabedi and Ernest Mtawali, fix the broken Flames.

Yet, there is no guarantee, that in the first place, their predecessors Kinnah Phiri and Young Chimodzi actually left anything worth calling a national team.

There are also no indicators that the tools needed to fix the broken Flames are there, let alone whether such tools will be provided. And yet Malawians just want the Flames fixed. How Ng’onamo does it, is none of their business.

Like President Joyce Banda, Ng’onamo has inherited a mess. And there will be no honeymoon.

Results are what matters to fans

The fans want results when the Flames travel to Namibia next month for 2014 World Cup qualifier, a trip to Nigeria follows then the Brave Warriors travel to Malawi between March and September.

“It is going to be a gradual progress to get to the winning ways,” Ng’onamo told Zodiak Broadcasting Station’s Saturday morning sports programme.

The big question, according to analysts, is not whether or not Ng’onamo has the pedigree and credentials for such a task, but if the football fraternity has the patience to wait a little longer for yet another rebuilding.

Before Ng’onamo’s hiring on Wednesday, the man, who is still presumed Flames captain Peter Mponda, put the national team matter in perspective.

“The new coach has to realise that he is inheriting a team that needs phasing out; a team in transition. The new coach will need time to rebuild the team. Yet, he will have to cope with the fact that there will simply be no such time,” the Surestream Academy director observed.

Surely, the Flames fans have for a long time heard the rebuilding talk, now they hardly believe it. They think it is simply buying time and excuses to justify failure.

Flames fan Yona Malunga last week told a local radio station that Ng’onamo simply has to deliver. No excuses will be entertained. Kinnah, too, was subjected to the same impatience even after his 2010 Africa Cup of Nations qualification feat.

The Flames still worth the name?

The other big issue is whether there is indeed a team worth the Flames’ name. If you ask football scout Kondie Msungama, he will tell you “there is need to start afresh with the Flames, if there is a team at all.”

The only inform Flames players are Simplex Nthala, who was voted Mozambique goalkeeper of the year. In defence, only Harry Nyirenda and Limbikani Mzava play regularly for their clubs.

In midfield, there are no wingers to give the Flames depth. Holding midfielder Hellings Mwakasungula has never been replaced. Upfront, there is no striker to score regularly. It is clear the only solution for the Flames would be developing home-based players.

Ng’onamo may also find some options in Mozambique-based players, who were undermined by previous coaches. In short, Flames’ fielding, formation and tactics need a rethink.

There is need for some tactical variation and sophistication playing not only to the Flames’ strength, but being able to react to the nature of opposition. Flames need a coach who establishes rapport with Super League coaches; a coach who takes interest in domestic games.

Listening to comments, it is clear that few believe the exit of Kinnah and Chimodzi and Ng’onamo’s entrance would translate into instant results.

Many believe as long as government does not up its financial support to the Flames, as long as youth national football teams are starved of exposure, the lurch from one football crisis to another will continue.

“There is a lot that has to be done. It is not only about bringing in a new coach,” argued football expert Ben Chiwaya. “There is need for serious investment in youth football.”

Like many, Chiwaya has no qualms about the coming in of Ng’onamo, who has just served a number of positions in sports–from being regional sports officer, athletics coach, assistant to Dane Kim Splidsboel, FAM technical director to a successful coach with Mighty Wanderers and of late Big Bullets.

Any hope in Mabedi, Mtawali?

But questions arise on whether Mabedi and Mtawali, men with no proven top level club coaching pedigree, can translate with the Flames. At this level, no experiments are entertained.

“Mtawali and Mabedi have played football at the highest level, but for their coaching experience, let others comment,” Chiwaya said diplomatically.

But Mabedi believes otherwise: “If you cannot invest in the youth like us, then there is no future for the national team.”

Mabedi and Mtawali will surely learn from Ng’onamo who has seen it all. He has fixed Bullets. He has a rich resume, international exposure and an assuring calm that rubs off on players. But he needs more, including luck.

It is a tough job. He may need a tough skin.

“Which team are we going to play with in preparation for Namibia? Who are the likely players to dominate the squad? When are they going to resume camp? How long are they going to train in Camp? Where? ” – Chikwanje

By sscouser | November 13th, 2012 at 3:50 pm
According to yesterday’s Nation Sports, FAM is trying to organise an international friendly against Swaziland on Wednesday in preparation for the CECAFA tournament. Wednesday November 21st? Tomorrow Swaziland will play against Mozambique.

I don’t think the friendly between Malawi and Swaziland will materialise.

“… we have asked them (FAM) to choose one (playing a friendly against Swaziland or participating in CECAFA) because it is difficult to get both, so the ball is in their court. But it would appear they would rather go for CECAFA because it provides more exposure” – Malawi Sports Council Executive Secretary George Jana as quoted by Nation Sports.

FAM chose participating in CECAFA. Now, FAM will have to choose one (money for a friendly in preparation for the match against Namibia or money for the caretaker coaches) because it is difficult to get both, so the ball is in their hands.

“The new coach has to realise that he is inheriting a team that needs phasing out; a team in transition. The new coach will need time to rebuild the team. Yet, he will have to cope with the fact that there will simply be no such time” – Surestream Academy Diretor (Peter Mponda – “Former” Flames Captain)

I thought the “phasing out” is over. If it ain’t over, it will never be over. Is there time and money for rebuilding?

This is exactly what we are talking about. Where are we going, what are we doing, what is our short term plan, what is our long term plans. Do we have a business case at FAM? Otherwise the Flames are running around a vicious cycle.

If we are expecting a miracle, it won’t come. A miracle starts with FAM and the govt.

Now we are having demonstration from the Civil servants, I hear nurses, police men will join soon.

Maybe Flames supporters need to launch our own Demo as well!! Am just saying, maybe it can be the best way to jack up the Govt and FAM.

FAM courts ministry, seeks help on coaches
Nation Sports (15 February 2013)

FAM has said the cloud of uncertainty surrounding the hiring of interim coaches and extra-budgetary funding could affect Flames preparations for next month’s 2014 World Cup qualifier against Namibia’s Brave Warriors.

The concern has also been shared by the coaching panel headed by Eddington Ng’onamo.

Apart from waiting for government approval on the team’s extra-budgetary request, which is in excess of K100 million (about $300 000), FAM also submitted a request for the interim coaching panel’s offer.

Football Association of Malawi (FAM) president Walter Nyamilandu on Thursday disclosed that they have sought the intervention of Minister of Youth and Sports Enoch Chihana on the matter.

Government is yet to approve the hiring of the five-member interim coaching panel in the countdown to the Namibia game scheduled for March 22 in Windhoek.

“The delay is bound to affect the team’s preparations if we do not offer the coaches contracts as soon as possible.

“It can be disastrous if government does not come to the party because at the end of the day, there is need for a coach to be in charge of the team,” said Nyamilandu.

He said the plan was to go into a two-week camp ahead of the Namibia fixture.

“That is why we are hoping to finalise this week and unveil the coaches next week,” said Nyamilandu.

Chihana confirmed being contacted by Nyamilandu on the issue.

“He [Nyamilandu] called me this morning to say he has made that submission [on the hiring of the interim coaching panel] to my ministry and I am waiting for my officials to brief me.

“But, as it has been noted elsewhere, the problem is that the hiring of interim coaches was not on the initial plan.

“So, we are discussing with Treasury to see if they can consider the request. It is up to the Treasury to do us a favour,” said Chihana.

He added that government does also not want to be seen to be interfering in football matters.

“The tricky part is that the administering and planning of the game rests in the hands of FAM, we only come in to finance their activities.

“Ours is just policy implementation. However, we are hopeful that Treasury will come to our rescue as they have always done,” said Chihana.

However, the ministry’s Principal Secretary Alex Mseka said the request for extra-budgetary funding was submitted to Treasury.

“I have not yet had the feedback, but all the necessary documents were submitted to Treasury and it covers the whole programme up to June,” said Mseka.

On his part, Ng’onamo said he is crossing his fingers that his programme for the Namibia game should come to fruitition.

“My aim is that the team should assemble on February 24 to have three weeks of intense preparations and play an international friendly match in between.

“But that will be subject to approval as I am yet to sign the contract. I hope the authorities [government and FAM] will speed up the process; otherwise, it might affect the team’s preparations,” said Ng’onamo.

“He [Nyamilandu] called me this morning to say he has made that submission [on the hiring of the interim coaching panel] to my ministry and I am waiting for my officials to brief me.”

So, if his officials do not not brief him he will not do anything? How about calling the officials? No, no, no, that would be breach of protocol. SMH

“So, we are discussing with Treasury to see if they can consider the request. It is up to the Treasury to do us a favour”

Why didn’t they discuss with Treasury before redeploying the former technical panel?

This is the type of leaders we have at the helm of government, sports to be specific.

This is the type of thinking. It is true, common sense is not common.

Malawi sends redeployed coaching panel on leave
Nation Sports (19 February 2013)

Malawi Government has given former Flames coaching panel it redeployed to regional sports offices a month’s leave as it sorts out their terms of reference.

The Ministry of Youth and Sports redeployed Kinnah Phiri, Young Chimodzi and Jack Chamangwana following FAM’s decision to dissolve the Flames panel on the basis of poor performance.

Former FAM technical director Jack Chamangwana, who doubled as Flames technical adviser, confirmed government’s move to send them on leave.

“We have been sent on a month-long leave as government tries to finalise the terms of our new roles and other administrative and technical issues.

“According to communication from government, we are supposed to start work on March 1,” said Chamangwana.

Chamangwana and Chimodzi, who was the assistant Flames coach, in principle accepted government’s decision to redeploy them, but were quick to say that they would wait for their terms of reference.

However, Kinnah recently said he is yet to decide on whether to take up government’s offer as he is still consulting his lawyers.

“Hopefully, by the end of this month something should come up and that is when I will be able to determine my future,” said Kinnah.

No contracts for Flames coaches
Nations Sports (20 February 2013)

Malawi government and FAM have agreed that the appointed interim coaching panel will be paid per game.

The development means the five-member coaching panel headed by Eddingtone Ng’onamo will not be offered contracts as initially requested by the Football Association of Malawi (FAM).

It also means the interim panel will only be in charge of the Flames until June and not September this year as suggested by FAM.

This follows a meeting which government had with FAM at the weekend.

Sports Council executive secretary George Jana could not be reached for comment as he is reported to be out of the country, but Youth and Sports Minister Enoch Chihana confirmed the development on Tuesday.

“The interim coaching panel will be paid for the time that they will be in charge of the team. They cannot be offered short-term contracts because the assumption is that no one would be prepared to risk their jobs to work on short-term basis,” said Chihana.

He also said the plan is to engage a full-time coach in the next financial year.

“Government operates on a budget and there is no way we can offer either short or indeed long-term contracts now.

“So, the arrangement is that they will be engaged as caretaker coaches and the terms will be communicated to them in due course and it will be up to them to agree to the offers or not,” he said.

FAM president Walter Nyamilandu confirmed the twist of events.

“We indeed had a meeting with government and Sports Council on Friday where it was agreed that in the short term, we shall engage a caretaker coaching panel and in the medium term, we are looking at hiring a permanent coach, but that will be after the current fiscal year.

“The development, therefore, means the caretaker coaching panel will be paid allowances per game and they will not be salaried, the reason being that government cannot afford to pay the coaches now. That’s the rationale,” Nyamilandu explained.

He said this means the caretaker coaches will be in charge of only three World Cup qualifiers starting with the one against Namibia next month, then Namibia and Kenya, but they will not be in charge of the last qualifier against Nigeria.

The FAM president said the plan is that after June, FAM will request for the engagement of a permanent coach as an approval would have been sought from government.

“The anticipation is that funding would have been approved and budgeted for. So, we are waiting for the due process to be concluded,” he said.

Nyamilandu also said in the wake of the development, he is hopeful that offers will be made to the caretaker coaching panel, that includes Ernest Mtawali and Patrick Mabedi as assistants, by end of the week.

Ng’onamo and his proposed two deputies refused to comment on the latest development.

“I would rather not comment on that for the time being until I get official communication from the authorities,” said Ng’onamo.

What if they don’t accept to be paid per game? Back to square 1? Is there a Plan C?

Malawi to hire expatriate coach
Nation Sports (22 February 2013)

So this is it. FAM and government have endorsed the hiring of an expatriate to become the next permanent Flames coach.

Football Association of Malawi (FAM) president Walter Nyamilandu and Youth and Sports Minister Enoch Chihana said a joint meeting agreed to hire an expatriate coach by July this year.

They say his immediate task will be to take charge of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations campaign.

Nyamilandu said during a meeting it was agreed that in the long term, a breed of up and coming coaches such as Ernest Mtawali, Patrick Mabedi and Charles Manda will be taken on board to understudy the expatriate.

“We do not have much time, so we expect to start the process of applying for an expatriate coach as soon as possible,” said Nyamilandu.

Asked to justify the move to engage an expatriate coach when records clearly show that locals have performed better than expatriates, Nyamilandu said: “We had the capable tacticians then, but not now. If we had capable coaches, we could not have taken that route.

“We are looking at the long term and the plan that we are doing is about to come to fruition,” he said.

On the procedure of hiring the expatriate, Nyamilandu said: “In liaison with government and FAM technical subcommittee, we will discuss how to proceed, but those are the plans.”

He also disclosed that applications from expatriate coaches continue to trickle in from across the world.

“We now have more than 15 applications from expatriate coaches. Some of them have impressive records,” he said.

Nyamilandu said he could not remember the names off head as he needed to check the file.

Sports Council executive secretary George Jana could not be reached for his comment, but Chihana also confirmed the development.

“Officials from my ministry indeed attended the meeting and briefed me verbally about the outcome. Now, we are just waiting for FAM to present a formal request so that we take it up from there,” said Chihana.

The minister said the inclination is to include the hiring of an expatriate coach in the next budget.

According to The Nation investigations, expatriates that have joined the bandwagon for the Flames job include Zambia coach Herve Renard who inspired Chipolopolo to their maiden Africa Cup of Nations glory last year and former Nigeria coach Samson Siasia, whose contract was terminated last year after failing to qualify the Super Eagles for the 2012 African Cup of Nations.

Dutch international Ruud Krol and Belgian tactician Aad de Mos also expressed interest through agents

By the way, yesterday Kenya appointed former Algerian international Adel Amrouche as the new Harambee Stars Coach.

New Flames coach’s plan hits a snag
Nation Sports (22 February 2013)

Malawi national football team (the Flames) caretaker coach Eddingtone Ng’onamo has been left with plenty of food for thought on what to expect in his new role.

His proposal to have the team start training on Monday in preparation for next month’s 2014 World Cup qualifier against Namibia’s Brave Warriors has failed to materialise as FAM is yet to get extra-budgetary funding from government.

Ng’onamo had proposed that the Flames should assemble at least by Sunday at Chiwembe Technical Centre in Blantyre to start their preparations for the Brave Warriors.

However, Football Association of Malawi (FAM) president Walter Nyamilandu said the Flames will go into camp on Sunday.

“There will be need to give the players a break of one week following the end of the season so that they come to camp fully charged.

“Once camping starts, we will not afford any break because their fitness will be of utmost importance bearing in mind that the league will be off season.

“We also plan to play an international friendly match before playing Namibia to accord the new technical panel an opportunity to assess the players,” he said.

Nyamilandu also said discussions are currently underway with a suitable team that will be flexible to face the Flames in the absence of a Fifa calendar date.

“Confirmations will be made once our proposal has been approved by the Malawi National Council of Sports and the Ministry of Youth and Sports,” said Nyamilandu.

But the FAM president said they are still within their schedule as the association’s proposal was that the team should camp for two weeks and not three weeks as suggested by Ng’onamo.

“We are making good progress having had a fruitful meeting with Sports Council and government officials. There is a plan that we are trying to pursue for the technical panel to receive their TOR’s [terms of reference] as soon as possible.

“There is no need to press the panic buttons because we are within the time frame for preparations,” he said.

Ng’onamo said he could not comment on the failure to meet his initial schedule.

“There is nothing I can say as there are administrative procedures that need to be followed. However, I hope the authorities will speed up the process,” said Ng’onamo.

Flames selection criterion changed
Nation Sports (26 February 2013)

Eddington Ng’onamo’s reign as Flames interim coach appears to have started in the background with some changes, including the often controversial players’ selection criterion.

Ng’onamo is now asking each Super League coach to vouch for their respective players deemed fit to don the Flames colours. The team is shaping up for next month’s World Cup qualifying match in Namibia.

The caretaker coach was seen at the Kamuzu Stadium during a TNM Super League game distributing pieces of paper to Blantyre United mentor Elia Kananji and his Epac FC counterpart Abbas Makawa for them to submit names of players from their respective teams.

Ng’onamo refused to comment, but four of the seven Super League coaches contacted, including Makawa and Kananji, confirmed that it was the first time they were being consulted.

Super League title winning coach Frank ‘Franco’ Ndawa of Silver Strikers on Monday confirmed proposing some names to Ng’onamo.

Asked if that has been the norm in recent past, Ndawa simply said “but it ought to be like that.”

“I was the first to propose the name of players. We are willing to help him succeed. This is about serving the nation. This is the way to go. It is not supposed to be a one-man job,” Ndawa noted.

Kananji and Makawa admitted that it was the first time a national team coach was asking them about their opinion on players. In the past, they could only see names of players called up for the Flames camp in newspapers.

“It is a right approach as we are closer to the players and we understand their strengths and weaknesses. He basically asked for me to suggest names of players from my team who I feel deserve a Flames call-up,” Makawa explained.

Kananji said Ng’onamo briefed him that he would ask every Super League coach to propose three names of players from their respective clubs to be considered for the Flames.

“That’s how things are done elsewhere. National team coaches work hand in hand with club coaches. This is a first,” said the Blantyre United mentor.

FAM chief executive officer Suzgo Nyirenda was not readily available for a comment on Monday. But the Malawi National Coaches Committee president John Kaputa said he was aware of Ng’onamo’s new approach.

Kaputa pledged to help Ng’onamo, who is yet to sign a contract alongside his assistants Patrick Mabedi and Ernest Mtawali.

Blue Eagles coach Derklerk Msakakuona and his Moyale Barracks counterpart Temwa Msuku on Monday said they were yet to be contacted.

What if all the coaches submit names of defenders only?

Coach to sign contract with Fam
Daily Times (28 February 2013)

Disturbed by the present predicament in which the Football Association of Malawi finds itself being a third party in national team coach’s employment, the association wants the next Flames mentor to sign a contract with them and not government.

Fam general secretary Suzgo Nyirenda said this would be possible if the salary of the national team coach has a vote in the association’s annual budget from government.

Nyirenda said the association wants to follow the path taken by other associations in the Confederation of Southern Africa Football Associations (Cosafa).

“We have done some consultations and this is what we found out. Our counterparts like Zambia and South Africa have this arrangement,” Nyirenda said.

“The national team coach is paid directly from the South Africa Football Association (Safa) or Zambia Football Association annual budget. There is a special vote for the coach’s salaries.”

Ministry of Youth Development and Sports has since supported the idea as a solution to the confusion created by the present arrangement of the national team coach being a civil servant.

Principal Secretary Justin Saidi said they had already started discussions with Fam so that the next coach is directly employed by Fam.

“That’s what we are working on. It is also our wish to have the coach directly employed by Fam. We don’t want to get too much involved in the process of hiring and firing the coach the way it is right now. It’s very difficult for the coach to be a civil servant while working for Football Association of Malawi,” Saidi said.

….

‘Malawi can’t afford to hire foreign coach’ Daily Times (28 February 2013)

Government has backtracked on its earlier decision to employ an expatriate coach because of the prevailing economic problems.

Last week both Chihana and Fam were quoted in the local media as saying that they would engage Ng’onamo on temporary basis before employing an expatriate coach on full time basis.

However, Chihana, said they would consider employing an expatriate coach once the country’s economy stabilises.

Chihana disclosed this in an exclusive interview on Tuesday that government could not afford to pay the expatriate coach even in the next financial year.

“In the meantime, government can’t afford (to employ) an expatriate coach and it will only consider that once the economy stabilises. That’s the message which should be put across,” Chihana said.

He said he received calls from agents in Brazil, Ireland and South Africa asking him if they could start courting the coaches for the Flames.

However, he said he has told them off because government was not ready for a foreign coach.

Fam appointed Big Bullets coach Eddington Ng’onamo as the Flames head coach with South Africa based Earnest Mtawali and Patrick Mabedi as his assistants.

This followed the firing of Kinnah Phiri, his assistant Young Chimodzi and technical director Jack Chamangwana.

He said in the next financial year, which begins in July, government will advertise the vacancy for the national coach.

Chihana said Ng’onamo would have to apply for the permanent position during that time alongside other local coaches.

However, Chihana, said he could automatically be considered for the job depending on his performance in the World Cup qualifiers beginning next month.

But when contacted for their comment, Fam’s general secretary Suzgo Nyirenda said he was in a meeting and would call back later.

Govt’s decision on expatriate coach stuns FAM
Nation Sports (1 March 2013)

FAM has said it is not amused by government’s decision to backtrack on the move to engage an expatriate coach because it was purely based on their [government] advice.

Football Association of Malawi (FAM) president Walter Nyamilandu said this in the wake of Malawi’s Youth and Sports Minister Enoch Chihana’s dramatic change of tune that government would only employ an expatriate coach once the country’s economy stabilises.

“It comes as a big surprise because we were guided by them. Whatever we said came from a meeting that we had with officials from government recently.

“It comes as a surprise because this was their advice to pursue the recruitment of an expatriate coach,” said Nyamilandu.

Asked whether he feels government’s move is justified, Nyamilandu said: “Well, it depends because, obviously, the question would be at what point did they realise that the country is struggling economically?

“We are all living in hard economic times and it’s no secret that we are facing tough times as a country, but it is this flip-flopping that is a cause for worry.”

He further said if the country were serious about the Flames scaling greater heights, then there is need to invest.

“If we want to realise our dreams of qualifying for the [2014] World Cup and [2015] Africa Cup of Nations, then we need to spend, but the harsh reality is that we don’t have the money,” he said.

Asked on the way forward, Nyamilandu who recently told The Nation that the country no longer has coaches who are capable of turning around the Flames fortunes, said: “We just have to trust the local coaches that we have appointed on caretaker basis [Eddington Ng’onamo, Ernest Mtawali and Patrick Mabedi].

“And we hope they can rise to the challenge and deliver. Whatever the case, in the long run, these coaches will have to be paid.”

However, renowned football commentators Yasin Osman and Charles Nyirenda partly supported government’s move, but were quick to point out that the continued changes over the coaching panel’s future is not a healthy situation.

Osman argued that apart from the economic problems that the country is facing, FAM has not tried all coaches in the country.

“Government could be right because considering the economic problems that we are facing, can we really afford an expatriate?

“The other thing that some of the local coaches that took charge of the Flames were there on carataker basis and did not get the same level of support that was given to either expatriates or locals that were offered contracts.

“So, I wouldn’t agree with the inclination that all the local coaches have been tried and tested. Those that were engaged on part-time need to be given the benefit of the doubt,” said Osman.

On his part, Nyirenda said: “The flip-flopping is very unfortunate because it has the potential to affect planning. How do people view this?”

However, Nyirenda was also of the view that there are some local coaches who can ably take charge of the Flames.

“The critical question is that is it really correct to suggest that Malawi does not have capable coaches? Because we got independence in 1964 and almost 50 years down the line, surely we should have trust in our own people.

“It’s time we started relying on our own people and the people that have been put forward can deliver given the support. We just need to train them further,” said Nyirenda who also served as FAM chief executive officer.

Chihana on Wednesday said funds permitting, government is committed towards supporting local coaches programmes.