Government holds cards
Football Association of Malawi (FAM) has said it will wait for government’s seal of approval before it can officially unveil the new Flames coach and his assistant.
FAM president Walter Nyamilandu was yesterday responding to a question on when the new coaches will get down to work.
This follows oral and practical interviews which the four candidates—Ernest Mtawali, Eddingtone Ng’onamo, Gilbert Chirwa and Burundian Nsanzurwimo Ramadhan—underwent yesterday in Blantyre.
“First, we will have to meet government who are the employers tomorrow [today] to brief them about the outcome of the interviews as there will be contract issues and other formalities to look into.
“So, we cannot announce without informing the employer. We should announce by Monday,” said Nyamilandu.
However, the interviewing panel, which was led by FAM first vice-president Moses Mkandawire who also chairs the technical subcommittee, was scheduled to deliberate and choose the successful candidates last evening.
The FAM boss also said they do not expect government to change anything on the outcome of the results.
“They have given us the mandate to carry out the process. We are in control and the appointments will be done in a transparent and fair manner; hence, no-one will be able to challenge the outcome,” he said.
The coaches appeared confident and ice-cool as they arrived for the interviews at FAM’s Chiwembe Technical Centre offices and looked regal in executive attire, a departure from their usual sporty gear.
The first to arrive for the morning session oral interview was Ng’onamo, clad in a cream suit, sky-blue shirt and a stripped grey necktie.
Mtawali opted for a deep grey suit with considerable shine, a white shirt and sky-blue necktie.
Chirwa, who arrived the same morning from his Zalewa base—about 55 kilometres outside Blantyre City—wore a grey shirt, red necktie, cream jacket and a white pair of trousers.
The last to arrive was Ramadhan, clad in a black suit, white shirt and a yellowish necktie with blue spots.
The quartet went for their second and final part of the interview— which covered practicals—in the afternoon.
The interviewing panel also comprised second vice-president Pikawo Ngalamila, general secretary Suzgo Nyirenda and technical director John Kaputa.
The successful candidates’ tasks during their one-year contract will be to guide the Flames to qualify for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations and 2018 World Cup.
The positions fell vacant following the sacking of Young Chimodzi and Jack Chamangwana.
