FAM says new TD on observer mission
FAM says its new technical director (TD) Marian Mario Marinica will not take any part in the Flames engagements although he has accompanied the team to Benin for their last 2022 Qatar World Cup qualifier.
Marinica watched the Flames taking on Cameroon in Johannesburg, South Africa on Saturday where Malawi lost 0-4 and is also in Benin for this afternoon’s final fixture against the Mambas of Mozambique.
However, in an interview on Sunday, Football Association of Malawi (FAM) president Walter Nyamilandu said the TD is currently on an observer mission.
He said: “The TD will definitely offer support to the Flames coach to ensure that the team is well-prepared technically and tactically.
“He will be there to offer guidance and advice, but he hasn’t started yet. For now, he is observing and analysing the situation because he hasn’t had enough time.
“The TD will be able to advise and guide the coach when we start preparing for Africa Cup of Nations [Afcon] finals.”
Nyamilandu also said apart from the TD and his predecessor John Kaputa, who was roped in as Flames technical adviser, they plan to beef up the technical panel further ahead of the Afcon finals by, among others, roping in a match analyst.
He said: “That is in the pipeline, we will soon announce our plans on how we want to beef up the technical panel ahead of Afcon finals.
“There are also other positions such as dietician and physical trainer so that we are prepared technically.”
Flames coach Meck Mwase said beefing up the technical panel will benefit him a lot.
He said: “I am still in the process of learning and beefing up the squad will ease my work and that is what happens elsewhere.
“These are people who are experienced in their respective fields.”
The Flames are scheduled to camp in Saudi Arabia next month in preparation for the Afcon finals scheduled to run from January 9 to February 6 in Cameroon.
Malawi are in Group B alongside Senegal’s Teranga Lions, Guinea’s Sylli Nationale and Zimbabwe’s Warriors.
