FA Malawi to set targets for ‘Mr Untouchable’: Coach Kinnah should go for refresher course
Mounting pressure on the Football Association of Malawi (Fam) and Flames’ coach Kinnah Phiri (Mr Untouchable) has forced the FA to consider setting targets on the Flames’ mentor.
According to Fam chief executive officer Suzgo Nyirenda, the FA, at its executive sitting on Saturday, October 27, 2012 agreed that Fam’ technical sub-committee must set targets for Kinnah ahead of the Flames’ next competitive assignments, which start in March next year.
Nyirenda said in a press release issued Monday, October 29, 2012, that the executive also resolved that the national coach’s contract should from now be based on performance.
The Fam CEO says the executive expressed dissatisfaction with the Flames’ poor performance, which include three straight losses against Liberia in a friendly match and Ghana (twice) in the 2013 Orange Africa Cup of Nations to be hosted by South Africa.
Of particular concern during the meeting was the underperformance by some professional players during the recent international games. The meeting reportedly recommended that professional players should be thoroughly assessed before being invited for national duty.
The executive further recommended that the Flames’ coach be sent for a refresher course in Germany early next year and that the technical panel be rejuvenated to include new technicians, who will bring new ideas and be able to critically analyse the team’s performance together with the national coach.
The Flames’ panel has people like team manager Steward Mbolembole and goalkeeper trainer McHodges Chunga, whose track record does not warrant their long stay on the technical panel.
According to the press release, the meeting, which took place at Chiwembe Technical Centre recommended that the Flames should be active ahead of the next Fifa/Caf assignments by, amongst other things, participating in the Cecafa tournament and playing friendly games on
Fifa calendar dates (November 14, 2012 and February 6, 2013).
Youth and Sports Minister Enock Chihana recently told a radio programme that the Flames’ coach would be given targets and that his failure to meet the targets would lead to government terminating his contract.
People have been calling for Kinnah’s head following Malawi’s 3-0 aggregate loss against Ghana in the final qualifier for SA 2013 but both government and Fam have learnt a deaf ear to the calls.
