55 eye Flames job

Football Association of Malawi (FAM) says it has received 55 applications for the post of Flames coach.

In an interview yesterday, FAM general secretary (GS) Alfred Gunda said they will meet officials from the Ministry of Labour, Youth, Sports and Manpower Development and Malawi National Council of Sports this Friday to discuss other modalities such as short-listing process.

“By cut-off point, which was May 31, we had received 55 applications and those are the ones that we will look at. The next step will be determined by the outcome of the meeting we are going to have,” he said.

However, the FAM GS could not be drawn to comment on how many locals have applied.

“I think we should restrict it to the overall figure. Otherwise, we have applications from local coaches as well as foreigners,” Gunda said.

Meanwhile, interim coach Meke Mwase yesterday said he sent his application upon arrival from the Cosafa Cup held in Durban, South Africa.

“I can confirm that I have handed in my application and the rest will be up to the authorities,” he said.

Some pundits encouraged Mwase to try his luck following the team’s satisfactory performance at the regional showpiece where the Flames went beyond the group stages for the first time in three years.

At the tournament, the Flames won three and drew one out of six matches. They lost the other two in post-match penalties.

Mwase told the media that by deadline date, he had not applied for the vacancy as he was preoccupied with the national team engagements.

“I did not apply because the vacancy came out while I was in South Africa with the team. I thought it was important to concentrate on the tournament first,” he said in an interview last week.

However, FAM president Walter Nyamilandu then said Mwase would still be allowed to apply for the job.

“His application will  definitely be considered. I have given this assurance,” he said.

The post fell vacant following the expiry of Belgian Ronny van Geneugden’s two-year contract which FAM did not renew.