National Sports

Ng’onamo bars aides from media

Ng'onamo_mponda_mabedi_may24

Flames caretaker coach Eddington Ng’onamo has said from now onwards, he will be the official spokesperson of the coaching panel unless otherwise stated.

In a related development, Football Association of Malawi (FAM) has announced that they have revived national soccer team press conferences to ensure a systematic flow of information.

Ng’onamo issued the directive through FAM on Thursday during a media briefing at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre.

This was after the coach contradicted one of his deputies Patrick Mabedi on the availability of wonderkid Gabadinho Mhango for next month’s 2014 World Cup qualifier against Kenya’s Harambee Stars.

Apparently, Mabedi told one of the local radio stations on Thursday morning that the Big Bullets red-hot forward will only miss the June 5 qualifier against Namibia’s Brave Warriors as he is supposed to sit for Junior Certificate (JC) examinations, but would be available for the June 12 match against Kenya because he will have a free day.

“I think it was a matter of communication breakdown, but the correct position is that Gabadinho will not be available for both games even in the event that he will be free on one of the days because we want him to fully concentrate on his exams,” said Ng’onamo.

He stressed that the move is not meant to gag his deputies.

“Let me make it clear that the development does not mean there are any misunderstandings within the panel, but it is aimed at ensuring order in the way we give out information to the public,” he said.

Commenting on the revival of press briefings, FAM competitions officer, Gomezgani Zakazaka, said the sessions will be held every Thursday or two days prior to an international match.

The Daily Times

sports editor Pilirani Kachinziri hailed FAM’s move.

“Such an arrangement creates a good rapport between the media and members of the national team and it is encouraging that FAM has revived such sessions. It is a positive development,” said Kachinziri.

During Stephen Constantine and Kinnah Phiri’s eras, FAM used to organise similar sessions, but they did not continue after the two coaches fell out with the media.

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