Coach’s Mozambique trip hits a snag

Flames caretaker coach Eddington Ng’onamo has said his plans to assess Mozambique-based players ahead of the forthcoming 2014 World Cup qualifiers are on hold due to tight budgetary constraints.

Ng’onamo recently hinted that he would propose a trip to Mozambique to assess players and engage coaches on their performance.

Some of the top players based in Mozambique include Flames goalkeeper Simplex Nthala, defenders Foster Namwela and Moses Chavula, midfielder Joseph ‘Shakira’ Kamwendo and striker Zicco Mkanda.

Others are Chiukepo Msowoya, Gerald Chimbaka, Gerald Nkungula, Emmanuel Chipatala, Louis Minjale, Sankhani Nyirenda, Vincent Chinthenga, Rafiq Mussa, Godfrey Masondo and Jimmy Chikulekule.

“For now it seems that cannot work due to budgetary constraints [at FAM],” said Ng’onamo.

However, Football Association of Malawi (FAM) chief executive officer Suzgo Nyirenda yesterday said plans for Ng’onamo’s trip are still there.

“For now it will not be possible for the coach to travel to Mozambique, but we are making arrangements that we should send him there,” said Nyirenda.