Newly appointed Flames coach Patrick ‘General’ Mabedi has called for the reinforcement of his backroom staff as he looks set to sign a two-year deal.
This comes after Football Association of Malawi (Fam) appointed him to head the technical panel following the association’s emergency meeting.
Mabedi, speaking in a telephone interview, said he intends to recommend retention of members of his backroom staff when he discusses the issue of his new deal with the association.
“I would like to keep my technical staff and maybe just reinforce it. But first I need to discuss the issue with authorities [Fam] and we can take it from there,” Mabedi said.
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The former Kaizer Chiefs and Flames captain said he has confidence in his panel and will soon meet Fam over some additions.
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During his reign as Flames caretaker, Mabedi was assisted by Under-17 Coach Deklerk Msakakuona, Blue Eagles Coach Eliya Kananji, Silver Strikers Assistant Coach Peter Mgangira and Chancy Gondwe.
Meanwhile, football analyst Felix Ngamanya Sapao has asked Fam to fully support Mabedi in all his programs for the national football team to do well.
“Every coach has targets and I know Fam has given Mabedi some targets to meet. This is where you meet in the middle. They have to support him and give him what he wants.
“If he is asking for reinforcement in his technical panel, then he might have noticed some gaps. Let the authorities support him because that goes with money,” he said.
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Mabedi emerged favourite after leading the Flames to the semifinals of the Cosafa Cup for the first time in 20 years when his side won all three matches in the group stage.
However, the Flames lost 3-0 on post-match penalties to Lesotho in the semi-final before suffering another 5-3 defeat to South Africa in the third-place play-off.
In the Afcon qualifiers, the Flames drew 0-0 with Ethiopia at Zimpeto National Stadium in Maputo, Mozambique, before recording a 2-2 stalemate with Guinea at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe.
Mabedi’s first assignment as Flames coach will be against Liberia on November 13 in the 2026 Fifa World Cup qualifiers next month.
The Flames, who are in Group H, will host Tunisia in the second match.
