She-Flames face race against time
National Women’s Football Association (NWFA) faces a race against time to name the women’s national football team coach after the senior ladies side was drawn against eSwatini in a 2020 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) Women championship qualifiers. The draw for the Afcon qualifiers took place in Cairo, Egypt, last month.
Malawi are need a new coach after the Abel Mkandawire-led coaching panel was fired last year following a disappointing showing in the Cosafa Women’s Championship and the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games qualifiers.
But the association’s Chairperson, Suzgo Ngwira, said the appointment of a new coach awaits Football Association of Malawi (Fam) executive committee’s nod.
Fam executive committee meeting is scheduled for today at Nkopola Lodge, Mangochi District.
Ngwira said they would strategise on the way forward as regards employment of the coach and preparations for the qualifiers after the meeting.
“The issue will be discussed at Fam’s executive committee and hopefully, a decision will be made so that we appoint a new coach soon,” she said.
Ngwira said the absence of the national coach had affected their plans as they could not start preparations for the continental qualifiers.
“The coach will spearhead preparations for the qualifiers. He or she will give us a detailed programme of events ahead of the game against eSwatini. We need to prepare well so that we have a successful campaign,” she said.
Fortunate Academy founder, Great Viyuyi, said it was important for Fam and NWFA to work with speed on sorting out issues regarding the new coach.
“We needed the coach in place as soon as yesterday. Without the coach, the team cannot plan and decide what to do and when,” Viyuyi said.
