Football Association of Malawi (Fam) has softened its stance by allowing coaches with Caf C-Coaching Licence to lead teams in the TNM Super League.
The association had been enforcing Caf B-Licence for Super League coaches in line with club licencing requirements.
However, Fam Compliance Manager Casper Jangale said coaches who obtained Caf C licences before 2016 are allowed to coach Super League teams.
“This is the special arrangement for coaches who obtained Caf C before 2016. The coaches are not to blame. Since 2016, the coaches had no chance to upgrade their qualification due to the absence of coaching courses,” Jangale said.
This means all Caf C-Licence holders have a chance to be appointed head coaches for Super League teams.
Fam is expected to conduct a Caf B-coaching course next month.
For the past five seasons, coaches without a minimum of Caf B-Licence were barred from the touchline. This led to several coaches being demoted to the role of assistant.
Several coaches including Peter Mponda, Eliya Kananji, Oscar Kaunda and Temwa Msuku were victims of club licencing requirements as they do not have the minimum Caf B-Licence.
Following Fam’s waiver, Blue Eagles have promoted Kananji to the position of head coach,s with Christopher Sibale his assistant. Former Eagles assistant coach Wilson Chidati has been maintained as technical adviser.
Kananji said it was a source of motivation that he would lead the team.
“This is good news to me. I have experience at the top level. For now, I want to deliver for Eagles,” Kananji said.
Forward Schumacher Kuwali has been named captain whereas John Soko and new signing Sankhani Mkandawire are his assistants.
Former Eagles defender Ackim Kazombo and striker Charles Ngosi are responsible for the reserve side.
Meanwhile, National Football Coaches Association General Secretary Davie Mpima has said the committee recommended for a special waiver on the Caf C-Licence holders.
“We know the coaches have experience but do not have the qualifications. Secondly, it was not their fault. They have waited for so long to upgrade their qualifications,” Mpima said.
The country has about 112 coaches waiting to secure Caf B-Coaching Licence.