Football Association of Malawi (Fam) has named McNebert Kazuwa as Malawi national women’s football team coach ahead of Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers next month.
The Scorchers face eSwatini in the preliminary round of the continental competition between April 6 and 14.
Kazuwa, who was approved for the post by Fam’s executive committee on Tuesday, said he was excited with the role.
“It is the dream of every coach to take charge of a national team and I am excited. But the excitement aside, the job carries with it a huge amount of expectations from all stakeholders. .
“It won’t be easy but with unity, producing a winning team is possible. Qualifying for the finals will not be easy. We have to work hard for it,” Kazuwa, who has replaced Abel Mkandawire, said.
During its meeting last month, Fam Technical Committee recommended to the executive committee that Kazuwa leads the Scorchers for a year effective March 2020 as recommended by the Fam last month.
Maggie Chombo Sadik and Andrew Chikhosi will be Kazuwa’s assistants, with Chisomo Nkhoma and Victor Mphande taking up fitness trainer and goalkeeper trainer roles, respectively. Elita Chiwoko is team doctor while Clara Luhanga returns as team manager.
Chikhosi was also part of the Mkandawire-led technical panel.
Kazuwa will likely face eSwatini without captain Tabitha Chawinga and her sister Temwa due to travel restrictions following the coronavirus outbreak in China.
The Scorchers will also participate in the Cosafa Cup slated for July in Port Elizabeth, South Africa.
Malawi has failed to go past group stages of the competition for two consecutive years.
Meanwhile, Fam has appointed Thom Mkolongo as coach for the women’s under-17 national football team which will make its maiden international appearance at the Cosafa Women’s Under 17 Championship in Mauritius next month.
Mkolongo will be deputised by Scolastic Luhanga and Linda Kasenda while Levi Mhone is the fitness trainer.
But the trainer was reluctant to comment on the matter yesterday, saying he was waiting for official communication from Fam.
Chimwemwe Chitedze is goalkeeper trainer and is being deputised by Logys Zidana. Violet Bunya is team manager while Yamikani Magombo is team doctor.
Fam General Secretary, Alfred Gunda, said members of the two panels will be engaged for one year and will get down to work as soon.
“The two technical panels must get started as soon as possible because their respective teams have assignments next month,” Gunda said.
