Silver, masters rebuff flames

Two of Lilongwe-based top-flight league sides Masters Security and Silver Strikers have refused to release their coaches Peter Mponda and Peter Mgangira respectively, for Flames duties. The two teams justified their decision in separate interviews yesterday, saying the coaches’ absence could affect preparations for the new season kicking off in April. Mponda and Mgangira double as Malawi National Football Team first assistant coach and physical trainer respectively, on part time basis.

In an interview yesterday, Masters chief executive officer (CEO) Christopher Njeula confirmed turning down a Football Association of Malawi (FAM) request to release their head coach for the upcoming Four-Nations Tournament to be hosted by Botswana from March 23 to 31. “Our head coach is new and he is building a new team. So, we felt releasing him for such a lengthy period could destruct our preparations,” he said.

“He needs a bit of time to put the team together as we count down to the new season.” On the other hand, Silver CEO Patrick Chimimba said they felt the camp’s timing was odd. “With about seven weeks of pre-season, it would be suicidal to allow our head coach to leave the club’s preparations for about three weeks,” he said. “It is also coming at a time when the team has new players who will need to quickly adapt to the Silver playing culture.” In a separate interview, Mgangira said: “A number of players have left the team and we have also signed new players and, as such, I need to focus on putting the team together.

[paywall]

“I also got in touch with the [Flames] head coach [Kallisto] Pasuwa and I explained to him about my situation and he understood. I need at least two weeks to be with the team.” FAM operations director Gomezgani Zakazaka asked for more time to consult.

[/paywall]