Hands off Mabedi—Kaizer Chiefs
South Africa Premier Soccer League (PSL) outfit Kaizer Chiefs has snubbed Football Association of Malawi (FAM) offer to Patrick Mabedi to be Flames assistant coach.
FAM on Monday announced that Flames coach Ronny Van Geneugden (RVG) had appointed Mabedi and Peter Mponda as his assistants.
However, in a statement posted on the club’s website, www.kaizerchiefs.co.za, Chiefs said Mabedi would like to concentrate on his job as assistant coach at the PSL side.
Said the club in a statement: “Kaizer Chiefs received an e-mail on 5 March from Walter Nyamilandu-Manda, the president of the Football Association of Malawi, requesting the services of Patrick Mabedi to assist the Malawian national team on a part-time basis during Fifa calendar dates and during the off-season.
“Amakhosi’s assistant-coach [Mabedi] was grateful at the honour of this magnitude to help his country through a service to the national football team of his home country. The same holds true for the club. After the request came in, Chiefs and Mabedi spoke extensively about a variety of aspects. The former Glamour Boys captain decided to excuse himself, trusting that his request will be accepted in the spirit of cooperation.”
The club’s website then quoted their football manager Bobby Motaung, saying Mabedi had decided not to take up RVG’s offer
He said: “We also want to express gratitude at the consideration of one of our technical team members being called up to serve the country of Malawi.
“We would like to continue cooperating and collaborating with Malawi on various areas.
“We wish the Malawian national team all the best in their upcoming matches.”
Mabedi was not available for comment, but when FAM appointed him on the Flames technical panel position, he had indicated that though he had no problem, his club had the final say.
“I am still contracted to Chiefs until 2019 and as a professional, I need to follow protocol,” the former Flames captain had said.
There was no immediate reaction from FAM as both the president Walter Nyamilandu and general secretary are outside the country.
RVG said he would talk to Mabedi to find out more on the development.
“I will call him this evening, then I will know more about what has happened,” he said.
But former FAM general secretary Suzgo Nyirenda, who is now Council for Southern Africa Football Associations (Cosafa) deputy chief executive officer (CEO), said Mabedi’s job at Chiefs is involving and doubling as Flames assistant coach was out of question.
He said: “Of course the idea was to engage him on temporary basis, so that he can come during Fifa dates and off season.
“But them this is the time big teams like Chiefs go for pre-season or scout for players and the assistant coach plays a huge role.”
