Mtawali, Mabedi question FAM
They cannot commit their future to Flames if not consulted
Flames caretaker assistant coaches Patrick Mabedi and Ernest Mtawali have made it clear that unless FAM consults them, it would be difficult for them to commit their future to the national team.
Mabedi is currently in South Africa on a brief visit while Mtawali is in the country.
In separate interviews on Sunday and Monday, they both said they heard through the press about FAM executive committee’s decision to extend the deal.
“The agreement was that after the three months, a decision was to be made on whether to retain us permanently. To extend it, is totally a new arrangement that could have implications on me. It is not automatic [to carry on]. No one from FAM has called me. I also have to weigh options and consult,” said Mabedi who is part of Moroka Swallows technical set-up.
Apart from his Flames’ role, Mtawali is also reportedly part of Mamelodi Sundowns team of scouts.
Mtawali seemed to echo Mabedi on what he called the need for respect of jurisdiction and ‘professionalism’.
“I do not know anything about this whole issue. Nobody has sat down with me that ‘this is the situation, what do you think? That is how things are done everywhere. To move our football forward, we need to do the same. I am in the dark even about the July 6 game, yet I am only a phone call away,” Mtawali explained.
He could not be drawn to comment on FAM’s decision to hire Belgian Tom Saintfiet for the September game, only saying “it does not matter whether it is a local or an expatriate, things just have to be done on merit.”
Head caretaker coach Eddington Ng’onamo has been diplomatic about the temporary tenure’s extension and the bringing on board of Saintfiet, saying he is ready to work with the former Namibia coach.
The caretaker coaching panel was handed a three-competitive game target if they were to be offered permanent deal and they registered a win and two draws as the Flames are still in the 2014 World Cup African qualifying contest.
FAM executive agreed on extending the caretaker panel for three months at their meeting in Lilongwe on Saturday and the following day an announcement was made.
By press time, both FAM president Walter Nyamilandu and his CEO Suzgo Nyirenda had not responded to questionnaires sent to them on Monday on why Ng’onamo and company had not been consulted on the extension of their temporary contracts.
However, FAM vice-president responsible for technical affairs Moses Mkandawire yesterday said what was important was that the association “loves, trusts and has confidence” in the three coaches following their performance in the three games.
