Despite confirming that he intends to join a local club as chief executive officer, former Football Association of Malawi (FAM) general secretary Suzgo Nyirenda says he is not desperate for a job.
Nyirenda said his decision to return home is aimed at giving back to the country the knowledge he has gained at Cosafa where he has been deputy chief executive officer for four years.
“I am not desperate for a job. I was employed on full-time permanent contract after everyone was impressed with my performance.
“I have learnt a lot in the past four years and I have added value to the management of football at Cosafa.
“Together with the other staff members we have worked hard to put systems in place and we are one of the best confederations in the world.
“We are able to hold a minimum of six tournaments in a year for all age groups and very few confederations can manage this.
“We are now targeting a Cosafa Champions League for clubs as well as Futsal and Beach Soccer competitions for all age groups.
“We are a fantastic team which has a fabulous strategic business plan with the aim of increasing the number of our member associations participating in continental competitions as well as increasing teams going to 2022 Fifa World Cup.
“We have attracted partners in marketing and broadcasting as we believe that is where most revenue in football comes from,” he said.
Nyirenda said he would like to help improve local clubs’ management.
“Having been a member of CAF Club Licensing Committee for over four years, I learnt quite a lot regarding club management and I travelled to a number of countries to see how clubs are managed, including the flagship League.
“It is this knowledge that one day I want to share with my countrymen in developing our leagues. Moreover, as one of the seasoned administrators, I want to continue imparting knowledge to our affiliates as well as those interested to pursue career in sports management,” he said.
Nyirenda, who is responsible for Cosafa competitions, said he has offers from other football associations as well as foreign clubs, but his priority would be returning home.
“Just like Hadad in Old Testament of the Bible [1 Kings 11] who had everything in Pharouhs palace, but he thought of going back home to rebuild the walls of the city of Jerusalem after they were demolished during a war, I also need to think of the plight of Malawi football before even crossing borders to CAF and Fifa,” he said.
Football analyst Charles Nyirenda, who also served as FAM general secretary, said the Cosafa deputy CEO’s choice to return home was welcome.
“When you think of going back home to contribute to your country despite having other openings, it shows that you are not only patriotic, but also matured,” he said.
