Saintfiet withdraw demand for win bonus if Malawi beat Nigeria
Malawi interim coach Tom Saintfiet has w ithdrawn his demand for a $10 000 (K3.2 million) appearance fee if the Flames beat Nigeria in a decisive World Cup qualifier in September.
Football Association of Malawi (FAM) president Walter Nyamilandu said on Tuesday at a news conference at Chiwembe Technical Centre in Blantyre that it had decided to provide a special bonus for the players in the gruel qualifier using its business fund. But could not divulge more information on how much each player will get.
The Belgium coach was promised US$10,000 as a bonus if the Flames, who trail the African Champions by two points, progress to the play-offs..
The development comes hot on the heels of public outcry.
Nyamilandu said the win bonus would be channeled towards charitable cause.
“After discussions with Malawi National Council of Sports, we felt the game bonus should be withdrawn. If Malawi beats Nigeria the bonus will be for charity preferably in youth football development in one of the townships, it could be in Ndirande or any other area.” Nyamilandu said.
“That’s what we agreed. Nobody forced Tom to do this. He agreed to do it and said he can work for the Nigeria game without any bonus attached to it,” said the FAM boss.
On his part, Saintfiet reiterated that he was not in the country for the sake of money but rather to help Malawi beat Nigeria.
“I decided to drop the allowance and give it to charity because I am not here because of the money. I don’t care about the money. Right now the bonus is not important at all,” Tom said.
“Winning against Nigeria will be a beautiful bonus I can get from my players.”
““For me money is not the motivation. I came here as a volunteer. I want to bring Malawian football to the next level and try to qualify them for the World Cup,” he said.
The Belgian was appointed at the start of July on a two-month deal, tasked with steering The Flames past Nigeria in their final Group F qualifier on 6 September – a win would put them through to the play-offs.
Saintfiet remains confident he can get the required result against Nigeria.
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