Football Association of Malawi (Fam) is in a tight spot to finalise the process of hiring permanent coaches for Malawi Women’s National Football Team, Under-20 and 17 boys’ national football teams as it is waiting for the greenlight from government.
The association is yet to offer a contract to immediate-past Scorchers coach Lovemore Fazili, five months after the expiry of his deal.
Fazili helped the Scorchers to win their first ever Cosafa Women’s Championship after beating Zambia 2-1 in October last year.
Apart from the Scorchers, under-20 and 17 national football teams have no coaches following the expiry of their respective contracts in December last year.
Fam hired Bob Mpinganjira as U-20 coach on temporary basis as a replacement for Patrick Mabedi, who was appointed Flames coach, whereas Deklerk Msakakuona was responsible for the U-17 side.
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However, the association is waiting for government’s approval to hire coaches for the three national teams. This is because Fam wants to hire coaches and their assistants on permanent basis.
Fam General Secretary Alfred Gunda said it was the vision of Fam to have solid and consistent technical teams at all levels.
“What was being advanced was that government should regularise the issue of technical recruitments so that we are able to manage the processes,’’ Gunda said.
Government is responsible for salaries for national football teams coaches.
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However, currently, Fam is responsible for Mabedi’s salaries and benefits as Fam and government have not finalised the process of regularising it.
Spokesperson for the Ministry of Youth and Sports Macmillan Mwale said they are yet to get a written proposal from Fam on the issue of hiring coaches.
“The ministry has not received a resubmitted proposal yet, as it comes through the Malawi National Council of Sports,” Mwale said.
Despite winning the Cosafa women’s championship, Fazili is not guaranteed a permanent job as Fam is expected to advertise for all the vacancies.
Fam First Vice President Madalitso Kuyera, who is also the chairperson for the association’s sub-technical committee, said the matter would be sorted out soon.
