FA Malawi warns Wanderers against reinstating Kananji as head coach

Elijah Phimbi- Nyasa Times

Struggling Mighty Be Forward Wanderers have been warned by the Football Association of Malawi (Fam) against the re-appointment of Elia Kananji as their new head coach.

The warning comes amid media reports that the Lali Lubani outfit has secretely returned Kananji to the high post of head coach replacing fired Jack Chamangwana.

Chamangwana, who was fired immediately after Nomads a 3-2 loss to Mafco FC was officially and publicly replaced with Edingtone Ng’onamo who was serving as Technical Director.

But a letter dated 19th May 2016 signed by Fam General Secretary Suzgo  Nyirenda addressed to Wanderers reveals that reports reaching Fam indicates that Wanderers have appointed Kananji as head coach.

The letter clearly states that Kananji cannot be appointed head coach as he does not possess a Confederation of African Football (Caf) B Licence as per requirement of the Club Licencing Regulations.

“He does not qualify to be head coach and we strongly warn your club to immediately replace Mr. Kananji with a coach who holds Caf B Licence (as minimum)” reads the statement in part.

It adds; “Failure to do so will attract a fine of K500,000.00 and a deduction of three points thereafter from Super League matches everytime he is seen standing and issuing instructions on the
touchline”.

The warning has also been extended to all other Super League clubs barring them from allowing officials without Caf B Licence to stand on the touchline and issue instructions to players.

“Additionally, any person without a Caf B Licence is not allowed to stand on the touchline and issue instructions” the statement reads.

Without openly confirming nor denying the development, Wanderers General Secretary Mike Butao told a local newspaper that there is nothing wrong in the appointment following the communication teams received from Sulom sometime back that the minimum qualification of Caf B Licence to coaches will come into effect after the first round of the 2016-17 Tnm Super League soccer season.

Meanwhile, Sulom through its General Secretary Williams Banda is yet to comment on the matter.

Banda opted for some time to review minutes of the meeting his association had with Fam concerning Club Licencing.

Kananji guided Wanderers to Carlsberg Cup glory in his debut season at the Nomads last season after beating traditional rivals Nyasa Big Bullets.

This was after Kananji won the Cup and league championship while at Bullets during the 2013-2014 season.

Chamangwana, a football legend at Wanderers and the national team, has since been a flop in the dugout.

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