Kinnah, others still hope to seal new contracts

Flames coach Kinnah Phiri, his assistant Young Chimodzi and technical adviser Jack Chamangwana are set to sign their new contracts before the Flames regroup on Sunday, Weekend Nation has learnt.

 

Kinnah and his colleagues were supposed to sign the contract two months ago, but this was not possible due to the busy schedule of the Minister of Youth and Sports Enoch Chihana who was outside the country.

In an interview on Friday, Kinnah said they received communication that the minister is back and that they are supposed to sign their contracts any day this week.

He expressed satisfaction with his new package.

“From the discussions with my employers, I have no problems with the new contract. It is satisfactory.

“So, we are just waiting for communication from government to sign the deal and we are hopeful that we will do that before we start training on Monday because that was the agreement,” said Kinnah.

Chihana could not be reached for comment as his phones went unanswered.

The news is a morale booster for the trio as they prepare for Ghana’s Black Stars next month.

Both FAM and government have maintained their confidence in the Kinnah-led technical panel, for succeeding where expatriate coaches failed such as taking the team to the finals of the African Nations Cup (Afcon).

FAM president Walter Nyamilandu, who recommended renewal of the trio’s contracts, has not hidden his admiration for Kinnah.

“So far, he has achieved a lot and made Malawians proud. As FAM, we have faith in this technical panel,” said Nyamilandu in an earlier interview.

The Flames are set to go into camp from today (Saturday) in preparation for the Ghana game.