Kinnah Phiri ‘seals’ 2-year deal
Malawi’s undisputed football legend, Kinnah Phiri, has reportedly sealed a two-year contract as coach for Mochudi Chiefs FC of Botswana Premier League.
The Botswana Gazette quoted Chiefs General Manager, Christopher Mogomotsi, on Friday as saying Kinnah is expected to spearhead the struggling team’s rebuilding phase.
Chiefs, who have bagged three league titles in the last six years, are in the bottom half of the 16-member log table hence, expectations are high among the club’s difficult-to-please fans.
However, Mogomotsi has called for calm, saying Chiefs—employers of veteran Malawian midfielder Lawrence Majawa—were in transition.
“We are currently in a rebuilding phase; we are being realistic with our targets. The coach’s task is to slowly help the team get back on track. We are patient. We want to recover this season and, hopefully, improve the following season. We are rebuilding and that is our focus right now,” he is quoted as telling www.gazette.news.
Kinnah is reportedly yet to take charge of the team due to work permit delays.
“His work permit application has to go through the vetting process first. We do not know exactly how long it would take but we are hopeful that everything will go well. The most important thing is making sure all the necessary documents are availed,” Mogomotsi told the newspaper.
Recently, Kinnah dumped Tanzanian side, Mbeya City Council FC, over unpaid dues. Ironically, Kinnah has replaced Zimbabwean Bongani Mafu, who has since reported the Gaborone club to Zimbabwe Football Association over outstanding dues.
Caretaker Innocent Morapedi is in charge of Chiefs while waiting for the Nyasa Big Bullets legend.
The Daily Times was unable to contact Kinnah who, in his career, also coached South Africa’s Free State Stars in three spells, and Manzini Wanderers in Swaziland.
He is credited with steering Bullets to their first-ever Caf Champions’ League group stage appearance in 2004 and taking the Flames to the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations finals in Angola.
National Coaches Association Chairperson, Stuart Mbolembole, yesterday said Kinnah was a good ambassador for Malawi football.
“We wish him well, knowing that, if he delivers in Botswana, it would create a good impression of Malawian coaches,” Mbolembole said.
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