Football Association of Malawi (FAM) says it will be responsible for Flames coach Meck Mwase’s perks for the next three months.
This follows government’s decision to turn down FAM’s request to extend the Flames gaffer’s contract by three months.
Mwase’s one-year deal expired at the end of January and FAM requested for an extension so that he could see out the remaining 2022 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifiers against South Sudan and Uganda next month.
Malawi National Council of Sports acting executive secretary Henry Mereka yesterday said that the request was not approved.
He said: “We have responded to FAM’s request, basically government cannot offer short-term contracts.”
However, FAM general secretary (GS) Alfred Gunda said they will undertake to settle the perks of the national coach for the next three months “since there are challenges with short-term contract extension by Malawi Government”.
He said: “We are already an active partner in the employment of the national coach since we subsidise his remuneration package. We wouldn’t want his renumeration to stand in the way of the Flames’ qualification.”
The FAM GS said the welfare of the national coach “is of utmost importance to us; hence, we wouldn’t want his performance to be affected by lack of salary payment”.
He further said FAM believes that it will be in a better position to fairly review the national coach’s performance upon completing the remaining qualifiers.
“It is for this reason that Meck Mwase will continue to discharge his duties until end March where upon a review of his contract will be made based on his performance,” said Gunda.
On his part, Mwase yesterday said he could not comment as FAM is yet to inform him about the development.
“I am hearing it from you, otherwise I have not been told anything to that effect. So, it will be difficult for me to comment,” he said.
Last week, Ministry of Youth and Sports director of sports Jameson Ndalama said Mwase’s contract extension would not be automatic as there were several factors to consider.
“Government has its own policies when extending contracts such as whether it will be practical to extend the contract by three months,” he said.
During his tenure, Mwase has overseen 17 matches, notching five wins, four losses and drawing eight.
