‘Kinnah needs to rebuild image’
Football Association of Malawi (FAM) president Walter Nyamilandu on Wednesday said Flames coach Kinnah Phiri has lost his way and needs to rediscover the spirit that made him such a darling to the soccer fraternity a couple of years back.
Nyamilandu was reacting to an interview which Kinnah gave to the media Wednesday morning during which he said his target is to turn around Flames’ fortunes and guide them to either win the Cecafa Tusker Senior Challenge Cup or, at least, reach the finals of the tournament.
“We have reached quarter-finals and semi-finals of the tournament in the recent past. We now have to aim high and win the cup, or, at least reach the finals,†said Kinnah.
He also said the Cecafa Cup will provide him an opportunity to prepare the team for the 2014 World Cup qualifiers which resume in March next year.
Reacting to Kinnah’s comments, Nyamilandu said: “It indicates serious signs of his commitment to do well. There’s definitely need for him to rebuild his image as a successful coach having failed to achieve anything in the past two years.â€
Added Nyamilandu: “But I am happy that he is also being ambitious and wants to win a tournament, or at least, reach the finals.â€
The FAM president said they are taking the Cecafa tournament as stepping stone to qualifying for 2014 World Cup.
However, Nyamilandu said there is also need for the team to get necessary support from government if the coach is to achieve his goals.
“In the same regard, it has to be noted that concerns have been raised on delayed funding where funding comes in at the last minute as well as the incentives. This affects the morale and spirit of the team. So, we need to look at both sides of the coin,†he said.
Nyamilandu’s strong comments come in the wake of FAM executive committee’s recent decision to set targets for the coach based on performance in all competitions.
This is probably the first time Nyamilandu has spoken strongly on Kinnah’s performance since he was taken on board four years ago.
Â
