Malawi’s expatriate coach to pocket US$10,000 bonus: Flames move up on Fifa rankings

Malawi national football team coach expatriate coach Tom Saintfiet will not work for charity should Malawi beat Nigeria in the crucial World Cup group match.

Football Association of Malawi (Fam) has revealed that it will cough US$10,000 (about K3.3 million) if he will lead the Flames to beat Nigeria in the last World Cup.

FAM General Secretary Suzgo Nyirenda confirmed that the association had agreed the K3.3 million bonus on condition that the team should qualify for the last qualifying round.

“This is what we have agreed and it cannot be changed. As I previously said, he has just volunteered to help the Flames for three months and then we will discuss his future. But if he manages to beat Nigeria he will get a bonus of US$10,000,” Nyirenda told Nyasa Times.

Saintfiet: To be paid if Malawin wins against Nigeria, no freebeez
Saintfiet: To be paid if Malawin wins against Nigeria, no freebeez

“If the team loses he will get nothing. This is what will be in the contract which he will sign once he arrives in the country.”

The association has also agreed to provide the coach with accommodation and foot all local running expenses.

He is also supposed to get an official offered by Malawi National Council of Sports for national team coach plus fuel while the current Flames coach Eddington Ng’onamo does not enjoy such a luxury.

The decision has questioned the Fam decision to come up with this arrangement when there is not much left for Malawi to hope for after wasting golden opportunities.

The development means coach Ng’onamo has been demoted to assistant coach together with his assistants Patrick Mabedi and Ernest Mtawali.

Mabedi and Mtawali are also keeping their fingers crossed over the deal.

Ng’onamo and his backroom staff replaced the country soccer legend Kinnah Phiri, who was fired in January.

Under Ng’onamo’s tutelage, Malawi lost 1-0 to Botswana in a friendly before beating Namibia 1-0 in World Cup qualifier.

They then drew one-all with Zimbabwe in another friendly before a goalless draw against Namibia in the second leg.

The Flames gave away an own goal in added time to draw again against Kenya, which made life difficult for themselves in the campaign.

Upbeat

But the Belgian coach is confident that Malawi can beat Nigeria.

“I know Nigeria and I know Malawi, I am convinced that Malawi has the quality to win and qualify for the play-offs. I have only one goal and ambition, qualifying Malawi for the World Cup 2014 in Brazil! After the match against Nigeria we will see if we go further or not, if we win, it will be for sure yes.” the coach said.

Saintfiet has coached in several countries including Belgium, Qatar, Germany, Faroe Islands, Finland and the Netherlands. He has also worked in Africa, becoming the Head Coach of Namibia, Zimbabwe and Ethiopia.

He was manager of Finnish Premier League club RoPS Rovaniem before joining Namibia.

Rankings

Malawi national team has moved one place up on the latest Coca-Cola Fifa rankings for the month of June released yesterday.

The Flames, who have been stagnant on position 109 in World for three consecutive months have moved to 108 in the world.

They have also inched one place up on the Africa rankings from position 31 to 30.

Malawi played a one-all draw against Zimbabwe at Kamuzu Stadium on May 25 before a goalless draw against Namibia on June 5 and a 2-all draw against Kenya on June12.

Ivory Coast remain the number one team in Africa but are 13th in the world.

South Africa are now the most highly ranked team in Cosafa on position 59 in the world and ninth in Africa with 2012 Africa Nations Cup champions dropped 11 places.

The Chipolopolo boys are followed by Angola at position 96 in the world and 26 in Africa.

Mozambique, who are facing Flames on Saturday during Independence Day Celebrations, are on 102 and 27 in the World and Africa respectively.

Nigeria’s Super Eagles, who holds the key to Flames World Cup decisive qualifying round are fifth in Africa and 35 in the World.

The top has changed although there was little activity for Africa countries because of Confederations Cup won by the hosts, Brazil.

Brazil’s emphatic victory over world and European champions Spain in the Confederations Cup final  and their five game unbeaten pedigree has seen them return to the top 10 on position nine, having risen 13 positions up the ladder.

Spain have held on to their lead as the world best team ahead of Germany while Colombia are third.

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