FAM widens coaches targets
Football Association of Malawi (FAM) has broadened targets for Flames coach Young Chimodzi and his assistant Jack Chamangwana saying apart from results they will also be measured on other factors.
Chimodzi and Chamangwana have just four months left on their one-year contracts and while in the past, the target for coaches has been to qualify for Africa Cup of Nations, FAM president Walter Nyamilandu said this time around, it will be broad.
“Qualification is still our top priority and ultimate goal, but for them to be considered for extension, the team has to yield good results including international friendly matches.
“We shall also consider other factors such as Fifa rankings, progression in team-building and achievements,” said Nyamilandu.
He said since the coaches contract will expire before Flames’ 2017 Afcon qualification is determined, the expectation is that they should progress to the next round of the competition and, at least, qualify for the finals of this year’s edition of the Cosafa Cup.
Asked if the coaches are being offered the necessary support to meet the expectations, Nyamilandu claimed that most of their programmes have been supported citing the regional talent identification exercise and making sure that the Flames play a friendly on Fifa dates.
Chimodzi said the targets are not beyond the realms of possibility.
“Targets are set by the employer and as long as they are realistic, then there is no problem, the crucial aspects though, is to get the necessary support,” he said.
Asked if it is possible for him and his deputy to achieve the set goals, Chimodzi said: “As you rightly said, we still have about four months and there are crucial assignments coming up, so I cannot say. However, I believe we are on the right track considering where we are coming from and our movement on Fifa rankings is confirmation to that.”
He also said considering government’s financial situation, they believe FAM is trying its best to meet their programmes.
“It could have been better, but looking at government’s economic challenges then we have to do with what is available for now. It cannot be a bed of roses,” he said.
Since the renewal of the coaches’ contracts in August last year, the Flames have played seven games, six of them competitive and the other one friendly.
Out of the seven, the Flames won two home games during the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Ethiopia [3-2] and Mali [2-0].
They lost against Mali 2-0 away and twice to the continent’s highest-ranked side Algeria 2-0 and 3-0 in the same tournament. They have drawn twice—against Ethiopia 0-0 [away] and more recently against Tanzania [1-1] in a friendly match away.
Overall, since Chimodzi and Chamangwana took over the mantle in February last year, the Flames have played 16 games, winning four, losing seven and drawing five.
While Chimodzi has succeeded in taking the Flames back into the double-digit bracket on Fifa ranking, including climbing up a remarkable 15 places in December last year, in which they were the third best mover on the continent, the Flames have not improved on their away record under his tutelage and are yet to register a win.
