Coaches’ body wants Mario Marinica assessment
National Football Coaches Association (NFCA) Chairperson Aubrey Nankhuni has said it is time for all stakeholders to assess Malawi National Football Team Coach Mario Marinica.
Nankhuni said the exercise would determine how best the coach can be assisted.
“It is unfortunate that we were not given a copy of Marinica’s terms of reference to appreciate the goals and targets which Fam [Football Association of Malawi] set for him.
“It is important for us to meet Fam’s Executive Committee and its technical subcommittee to do a post-mortem of how we are faring under the coach’s guidance. This will help us appreciate what we have achieved or not so far,” he said.
Marinica signed a three-year contract with Fam, though earlier reports indicated that he had signed a year-long deal.
Speaking after the Flames’ exit from the African Nations Championship (Chan), Marinica said he was not under pressure despite missing out on two of his three contractual targets.
The former Fam technical director was tasked with winning the Cosafa Cup and qualifying for the Chan finals.
Marinica said he did not feel any pressure following Flames’ dismal performance.
“I do not believe in pressure and that is the reason I tell my players to keep focusing. Pressure is for those fighting in a war. In a game of football and in this kind of a job, no-one will be there forever,” he said.
However, Fam President Walter Nyamilandu recently told the media that Marinica will be assessed basing on Africa Cup of Nations, Cosafa and Chan games.
“We don’t just judge a coach on one game or two. We are looking at the bigger picture and that’s Cosafa, Afcon and Chan competetions,” he said.
Peter Fote is a Sports Journalist with huge experience in radio and Television reporting, production and presentation. He once worked with Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) and is currently working for Times Media Group.
