WHERE THERE IS SMOKE THERE IS FIRE

After Malawi lost to Guinea 2-1, Malawi’s Russia based pro verbally quit the Flames because he was fed up with being the scapegoat.

That one seems to be a closed chapter. The coach has left him out of the squad that is expected to go into camp next week in preparation for the crucial game against Guinea on September 5, 2009. According to yesterday’s Daily Times, the coach dropped Kanyenda in order to give a chance to up-and-coming players who impressed him during the Flames’ friendly against Swaziland.

Now the headlines are not about Kanyenda but about the coach himself. On July 14, 2009, www.kickoff.com reported that Kinnah Phiri, who is currently under contract to the Malawi national team, had been approached by Carara Kicks to help assess the players they intend to sign ahead of the new season. Kickoff quotes Kinnah: “It is true Mike Mokoena has asked me to assist his son’s team. They want me to help them with their strikers as well as the new players. They are aiming for promotion this season and want to start early with their preparations.”

According to kickoff, Kinnah Phiri said that Carara Kicks wanted him for the whole season but he has a contract with the Malawi FA and it will only expire next year.

“Apart from being contracted to the national team, it would not be good for my CV to move from the PSL to a national team then back to First Division. I would rather go back to PSL. However, I have agreed to help Mokoena because of the faith and trust he has in me.

“The only way that I could move to South Africa was if a team buys me out of my contract with Malawi national team” – Kinnah Phiri (Fans accused Kanyenda of not being patriotic).

Last week, www.africansoccerunion.com reported that Malawi’s Flames coach, Kinnah Phiri, has made his much-anticipated return to South Africa football after signing a three-year contract with Carara Kicks, a sister club for Free State Stars who he made a name with two seasons ago. Kinnah refuted the “allegations”.

Meanwhile, today’s Daily Times reported that Carara is referring to Kinnah as the Head Coach of Carara: “We (Carara Kicks FC) have been instructed by our head coach Mr. Kinnah Phiri to invite one of your players, Sankhani Mkandawire for trials with our team in South Africa,” wrote Carara general manager A. Chetty, in a letter addressed to one of Malawi’s local clubs (Big Bullets FC), officially notifying the Bullets about the trials of Sankhani Mkandawire.

Read between the lines: “I will fulfill my contract until 2010. Whatever happens between now and 2010 will come from my employers, who are FAM.” – Stated Kinnah in an interview broadcast on Television Malawi (TVM) on Saturday, July 25, 2009. Looking for Just Cause Dismissal? Acute Conflict of Interest?

Voluntary termination

Voluntary termination is a decision made by the employee to leave the job. Such a decision is commonly known as “resignation,” “quitting,” “leaving,” or “giving notice.” Some common reasons for voluntary termination include:

1) Hire at a new job
Reasons for wanting a different job may be better working conditions, better hours, a shorter distance to work, better pay, graduation, career progression or preparation for entry into a new career, or a career change.

2) Feared or anticipated involuntary termination
The employee may wish to take matters into his/her own hands in order to leave more honorably. This is also known as mutual consent in some parts.

Involuntary termination

Involuntary termination is the employee’s departure at the hands of the employer. There are two basic types of involuntary termination, known often as being “fired” and “laid off.” To be fired, as opposed to being laid off, is generally thought of to be the employee’s fault, and therefore is considered in most cases to be dishonorable and a sign of failure. Often, it may hinder the new job-seeker’s chances of finding new employment, particularly if he/she has been fired from earlier jobs. Job-seekers sometimes do not mention jobs which they were fired from on their résumés; accordingly, unexplained gaps in employment, and refusal to contact previous employers are often regarded as red flags.

Plan B?