Government terminates Kinnah’s contract

Malawo Government has terminated the contract of football development officer for the North, Kinnah Phiri, for abscondment of duties.

Ministry of Youth and Sports principal secretary Justin Saidi yesterday confirmed that the former Flames coach’s contract has been terminated on disciplinary grounds.

Kinnah, who is currently employed as head coach for South African Premier Soccer League (PSL) side Free State Stars, could not be reached for comment.

“We met all the conditions that are required for the contract termination process through the Department of Human Resources,” said Saidi.

He said the termination of contract is with effect from January and Kinnah will get his benefits as per government procedure.

Asked whether government has plans to replace the three regional football development officers since the two others—Young Chimodzi and Jack Chamangwana—were recently redeployed to the national soccer team, Saidi said: “That aspect will be looked into upon the expiry of the remaining running contracts [of Chimodzi and Chamangwana].”

Kinnah applied for leave of absence from government after securing the Stars’ job in South Africa early this year, but Saidi said the application was turned down.

He was hired as by the South African club as an assistant coach to Simba Sithole, but was recently promoted to the post of head coach, swapping roles with Sithole in the process.

Kinnah was employed as national team coach in 2004 and was seconded to FAM alongside his former deputy Chimodzi and technical adviser Chamangwana. However, they were redeployed as regional football development officers after being fired by FAM in January last year.

The move to redeploy them was viewed by many as a ploy to avoid compesating the trio.