So this is it. After weeks of speculation on who will take charge of the Flames in the interim, it has emerged that FAM technical subcommittee has proposed South Africa-based duo of Ernest Mtawali and Patrick Mabedi.
A well-placed source confided in Nation Online that FAM has since asked its first vice-president Moses Mkandawire, who also heads the technical subcommittee, to meet the two legends in Johannesburg this week to find out if they would be willing to take up the task.
According to Nation investigations, Mkandawire will take advantage of his business trip to South Africa to meet the two.
FAM president Walter Nyamilandu and his deputy Mkandawire could neither confirm nor deny the development.
Nyamilandu could only confirm that he will be meeting the technical subcommittee tomorrow (Thursday) to look at potential candidates.
Mkandawire, who confirmed his trip to South Africa, refused to give details on the issue, save for saying they have made strides in the process of identifying interim coaches.
Mtawali and Mabedi could also neither confirm nor deny being approached by FAM.
“I am afraid I cannot comment anything for now. Suffice to say I am committed and ready for the cause,” said Mtawali.
On his part, Mabedi said: “I cannot say much, but I am willing to assist my national team. But it will depend on the offer.”
Meanwhile, government has dismissed suggestions from certain quarters that it redeployed the Flames fired coaches to avoid compensating them millions of kwacha.
The Ministry of Youth and Sports at the weekend redeployed former Flames coach Kinnah Phiri, his deputy Young Chimodzi and technical adviser Jack Chamangwana to regional sports offices of Sports Council after FAM recommended their firing.
Prior to the decision, Weekend Nation revealed that Kinnah alone stood to pocket in excess of K18 million (about $53 000) if his contract was terminated.
Seasoned soccer commentator and former sports minister Moses Dossi said government’s move to redeploy the three was done to avoid compensating them.
However, Principal Secretary II in the Ministry of Youth and Sports Justin Saidi dismissed the suggestions on Monday.
“We deployed them in line with the Employment Act that government can redeploy its employees as and when it wishes,” said Saidi.
He also dismissed suggestions that the move to relocate the three was a demotion.
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