Malawi hires Belgian tactician for Nigeria showdown: Ng’onamo demoted
Football Association of Malawi (FAM) has hired an expatriate coach for the 2014 World Cup decisive qualifier against Nigeria’s Super Eagles and demoted the current caretaker coach Eddington Ng’onamo for the mission slated for mid-September.
FAM president Walter Nyamilandu confirmed that they are hiring Belgian Tom Saintfiet, a former Nigeria technical director He also coached Zimbabwe and Namibia.
Nyamilandu said Saintfiet has been hired specifically for the mission to defeat Nigeria and sail through to the final qualifying round of the World Cup qualifiers. Nigeria lead on nine points, two ahead of Malawi.
FAM boss said Saintfiet feels “believes he can guide the Flames to win against Nigeria because he was coach for Ethiopia when the Super Eagles scored a last-minute equaliser to force a draw during the 2012 Afcon qualifiers.”
And FAM chief executive officer Suzgo Nyirenda said the Belgium tactician will do voluntary work for the Flames.
“He is in Europe and he has offered to help us for free. We will only take care of his expenses when he is here,” Nyirenda told Radio 2 FM on Monday.
Nyirenda further added that the temporary tenure of Ng’onamo has been extended for three more months alongside that of his assistants Ernest Mtawali and Patrick Mabedi who recently graduated with Germany B Licence.
Hired early this year, Ng’onamo’s panel has managed a win and two draws in the group to leave the Flames with some qualification prospects.
Ng’onamo will meanwhile be in charge for the Flames at the Cosafa Tournament in Zambia.
