Africa-Press – Malawi. Malawi’s football legend Kinnah Phiri has joined 10 other coaches in applying for the post of Football Association of Malawi (Fam) technical director (TD).
The post will be vacant at the end of the month after incumbent John Kaputa asked the association not to renew his contract when it expires on June 30. Fam General Secretary Alfred Gunda said both local and foreign coaches have applied for the post.
“I can confirm that we have received 11 applications but we are yet to evaluate them. After all processes are finalised, we will shortlist suitable candidates for interviews,” he said.
However, Gunda refused to disclose identities of the applicants. But Phiri, who holds a Caf A licence—in an interview—confirmed having applied for the job.
“I sent my application for the job and I am still waiting,” Phiri, who guided the Flames to the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations finals in Angola, said.
Fam advertised for the post early this month and set tough conditions for the aspirants. Among other conditions, Fam indicated that it was looking for a Pro-Football Licence holder with a degree in sports management.
This has automatically disadvantaged local coaches as none has such qualifications. Football consultant Kelvin Moyo said chances were high that Fam would engage an expatriate coach for the post.
“Local coaches have slim chances of getting the job. Looking at the requirements, it is clear that the country’s football governing body made up its mind on the suitable person for the job. So we should expect a foreign coach to take up the post,” Moyo said.
Others who had expressed interest in the post are former Mzuzu Warriors and Chitipa United coach Alex Ngwira and former Fam technical director Eddingtone Ng’onamo.
But Ngwira said he sees applying for the job as a waste of time. “They have made it difficult for us to make it,” he said. There are indications that coaches from South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Europe have also applied for the job.
Kaputa has served as Fam TD for eight years after replacing late Jack Chamangwana. Early this month, Fam also advertised for the post of referees development officer to replace Maxwell Mtonga who is retiring after serving in that capacity since 2009
