BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)-The Football Association of Malawi (FAM) on Wednesday named Gerald Phiri and Deklerk Msakakuona as Flames’ assistant coaches to start preparing for the 2018 Championship of African Nations (CHAN) qualifier against Madagascar on April 22.

FAM made the announcement during a press conference on Wednesday at Mpira Village in Blantyre, as the national team awaits an expatriate coach.

This follows the recent approval by the Ministry of Labour, Sports and Manpower Development approval for the Flames’ funding to participate in the CHAN tournament.

FAM president Walter Nyamilandu, said assistant coaches have to demonstrate their abilities to justify the government release of resources that enables the Flames to participate in the tournament.

Nyamilandu therefore, hinted that an expatriate coach will be hired later in the year as this is what is tabled despite government refusal for the proposal.

However, reacting to the appointment of the two assistant coaches, sport analyst and former Flames coach, Peterkings Kayira criticized FAM for hiring an inexperienced panel of coaches and predicts disaster for the Flames.

Kayira wondered why the soccer governing body hired the junior coaches for the national team senior side when experienced technicians are available in the country.

He and another former Flames player, said it was time the football association could consult on serious matters such as participation in continental tournaments, rather than trying to do something right but in the wrong way.

“This is a total disaster for the Flames’ success this time around. Why did FAM hire these junior coaches and leave the likes of Kinnah Phiri, Jack Chamangwana, Yassin Osman, and Young Chimodzi including me, who are considered as senior coaches in this country?

“I am not trying to belittle Phiri and Msakakuona, but these are junior coaches and suitable for a lower side. FAM could have consulted widely for its decision. Therefore, we should not expect miracles from them as they are too junior to take the senior team to such a big tournament,” Kayira warned.

Government’s commitment towards the national team’s financial support, comes days after Malawian South Africa-based Prophet Shephard Bushiri, offered to bankroll the Flames participation in two tournaments.

The Flames will require about MK200 million to participate in the two tournaments. The CHAN game against Madagascar will cost Malawi about MK70 million.