Malawi’s football coach, deputy mend fences

Malawi national football team (the Flames) coach Kinnah Phiri and his deputy Young Chimodzi have blamed external forces for fuelling their recent fallout.

FAM first vice-president Moses Mkandawire, who was tasked to mediate on the break-up, on Monday said the duo admitted during a meeting he had with them in Lilongwe on Saturday that the split was the work of external forces.

“I had separate meetings with them and in the end, I brought them together. One thing that came out clearly was that there was indeed tension that was fuelled by external forces.

“I cannot go into details, but it was purely rumour-mongers at work. But the good thing was that, in the end, they agreed to bury the hatchet and start a new chapter,” said Mkandawire.

He said the two tacticians made it clear that they have nothing personal against each other.

“Young, actually, said he has so much respect for Kinnah and he looks at him as an elder brother and mentor.

“Similarly, Kinnah said he has so much respect for his deputy and they have had a cordial working relationship for the past four years,” said Mkandawire.

He said the two pledged to continue working together.

“They have agreed to be much more open to each other and that is the message I communicated to my president [Walter Nyamilandu],” said Mkandawire.

Water under the bridge

Kinnah on Monday said the issue was water under the bridge.

“I think the most important thing is what the first vice-president said, but as I said earlier on, I have no problems with Young,” said Kinnah.

It was reported that Kinnah expressed concerns against Chimodzi during the recent FAM executive committee meeting during which he accused him of being after his job.

Chimodzi brushed off the fallout talk last week, but could not be reached for comment on the reconciliatory meeting.