Tag Archives: Alfred Gunda

Sports

Flames’ players on cloud nine as FAM fulfills pledge

Maravi Post Reporter
Flames celebrating after qualifying for AFCON

 The Football Association of Malawi on Thursday fulfilled its pledge to pay the Flames game bonuses within 30 days by giving the players and officials their win bonuses for the two 2021 AFCON qualifying matches against South Sudan and Uganda.

FAM has also given the players an extra K 1 million bonus for qualifying for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations.

The players are entitled to a K500,000.00 bonus for a win, for those that feature in a match, while unused substitutes get half amount and those not in match day squad receive K125,000.00.

This means that the players who played in the two games in March have received K1 million each.

In October last year, FAM pledged a qualification bonus of K1 million per player who have played at least 75% of the total number of games in the qualifiers.

The Flames played six games during the just ended qualifiers meaning that players that were part of the squad in four or more games have received K1 million.

Those that were part of the team for three matches have received K 500,000. 00 while those for two games and below got K 333.000.00.

FAM General Secretary Alfred Gunda said the Association is committed to ensure the players are motivated by ensuring that it fulfils its pledges.

“We are delighted to honour our pledge to the players for qualifying to the Africa Cup of Nations, Cameroun 2022 with a cool MK1 million each. This is on top of their new game bonus of MK500, 000 each which yields a further MK1 million for the last two matches against South Sudan and Uganda.

“We had to dig deep into our coffers to fulfil our promise as a reward for making Malawi proud. The turnaround of performance was incredible having not conceded a goal in the second round nor lost any match. We remain committed to motivating the players to go the extra mile by maintaining the new incentive policy which has worked to good effect.,” said Gunda.

Flames captain Limbikani Mzava confirmed receiving the funds and thanked FAM for keeping their promise.

“FAM has never paid us late and we knew they would honour their pledge. We now shift focus to preparations for the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers which start in June,” said Mzava.

Source: Football Association of Malawi

Malawi, Sports

Malawi football pundits for extension of Meck Mwase’s contract

Maravi Post Reporter
Malawi Flames coach Mwase

BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)—As Malawi National Football Team Coach Meck Mwase’s contract is expected to end this month on 31st, football experts are of the view that the coach must be given a chance to finish 2022 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers games before stakeholders decide on his long term fate.

According to The Nation, Football Association of Malawi (Fam), during its first executive meeting, did not make any decision regarding the coach’s future as they opted to be thorough with consultations.

An informed assessment can be done once Mwase completes Afcon assignments where results would count, sources say.

“It has been tough for the association to thoroughly assess the coach to decide whether he stays or not. No wonder it was difficult for the executive meeting to make a decision in the absence of complete results,” said the source as quoted in The Nation.

Both Fam General Secretary Alfred Gunda and the association’s head of technical subcommittee Tiya Somba-Banda said they were consulting stakeholders as Mwase’s contract was due to expire on January 31.

“We know we are racing against time but the decision will be made soon when we are through with the consultation process,” Gunda said.

On his part, Banda said they needed all stakeholders to make an input before making the final decision.

“All the details will be released once we are through with consultations,” he said.

If Mwase’s contract is extended, it means the former Nyasa Big Bullets and Be Forward Wanderers defender would be in-charge when the Flames conclude Afcon qualifiers in March against South Sudan away and Uganda at home.

Meanwhile, National Coaches Association (NCA) General Secretary Davie Mpima has said the coach needed time to be fairy assessed.

“Of course, at the beginning, we questioned his appointment because we felt he was rushed. He was supposed to spend time with Malawi Under-20 before picking up the job for the senior side.

“Anyway, we feel the right decision can be made after the qualifiers whereby the results should count. As it is I would advise Fam to further extend his contract to assess him properly. Mwase met some unfortunate conditions including the Covid-19 pandemic which made planning difficult,” he said.

Mwase was hired last year after impressing during the 2019 Cosafa Championship in South Africa, where the Flames lost in the Plate Final.

Sports

FAM changes tune on Gerald Phiri: Expatriate coach expected Thursday

Maravi Post correspondent

Walter Nyamilandu
FAM President Walter Nyamilandu

BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)- Football Association of Malawi (FAM), on Sunday made a dramatic u-turn on Gerald Phiri as Flames’ head coach, clarifying that an expatriate will be in charge of the nation team as it prepares for the 2018 Championship of African Nations (CHAN) qualifier against Madagascar on April 22.

FAM’s announcement changes Phiri’s selection last week, as head coach, and to be assisted by Deklerk Msakakuona.

The choice of the duo attracted criticism from sport analyst Peterkin Kayira, who found fault with the association for hiring the inexperienced panel; former malawi Flames star Kayira, predicting disaster for the Flames should the duo were allowed to lead the yeam.

Kayira wondered why the FAM hired the junior coaches for the senior side, when experienced coaches were available in the country.

The sport analyst said it was the right time for the association to consult on serious matters.

FAM President Walter Nyamilandu’s, latest position on the two, contradicts the information that FAM Secretary-General Alfred Gunda, told reporters last week. The SG said that Phiri and Msakakuona were on a one-year contract as head and assistant coaches respectively.

Nyamilandu, who did not attend the unveiling of the duo at Mpira Village in Blantyre, said the two local coaches were hired as assistant coaches.

He however, did not disclose the identity of the expatriate coach, including the source of the funding his salary, which normally ranges between US$10,000 (MK7.1 million) to US$50,000 (MK36 million) per month.

“It was an oversight on the part of the SG. The correct version is that Gerald is the first assistant coach, while Msakakuona is the second assistant coach. That’s the arrangement per their contracts that we are currently on the verge of sealing the arrangement with the prospective expatriate coach,” Nyamirandu said.

He continued saying that by the time an expatriate arrives in the country, FAM should have finalized everything. He will then get down to work straight away, and said the coach will start drilling the team in the 2018 CHAN preparations against Madagascar.

“We wouldn’t want it to come as a surprise but his (expatriate) identity, will be revealed in due course, as we are working on a long-term deal,” Nyamilandu said.

Several high profile expatriate coaches, including Portuguese Paulo Duarte, Bobby Williamson (Scot), Honour Janza of Zambia, and Zimbabweans Calisto Pasuwa, and Bruce Globbelaar, applied for the Flames’ job.

 

Sports

Sulom sets May for Super league kick off, upbeat of securing sponsorship  

Maravi Post correspondent

Malawi TNM League
Bullets and Wanderers in action last season

BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)—Super League of Malawi (Sulom) has set May 2017 for the kick off of the flagship league.

Sulom president Innocent Bottoman confirmed of the development in an interview with The Nation Newspaper has said the flagship league will kick off next month.

Initially, the domestic top-flight league was scheduled to start next weekend, but was suspended indefinitely due to the move by TNM to withdraw its sponsorship about a fortnight ago.

“I will not comment much on the issue of sponsorship, suffice to say there are some logistics that we are working on behind the scenes and I have all the hope that everything will be in order by May.

“As at now, nothing has changed, the kick off is still suspended as communicated by the GS [general secretary], but by May we should kick off. There should be no cause for alarm at this point,” said Bottoman as quoted in the newspaper.

Recently Football Association of Malawi (FAM) president Walter Nyamilandu also said he is optimistic that the situation will be addressed soon.

“I will not say much, but we will see to it that the Super league should have a sponsor this coming season,” he said.

Sulom officials recently met Minister of Labour, Youth, Sports and Manpower Development Henry Mussa in Blantyre where he wanted to understand the circumstances leading to the sponsorship withdrawal before meeting TNM management.

Telekom Networks Malawi withdrew its sponsorship towards the country’s super league after the ruling by Competitions and Fair Trading Commission (CFTC) over the contract which the company had with Super League of Malawi.

CFTC ruled that TNM should not hold exclusive rights to the league thereby allowing other companies and individuals to come in.

According to the ruling the TNM would have been required to drop the clauses in the contract which stops Super League of Malawi (Sulom) and clubs from entering agreements with other mobile service providers.

Douglas Stevenson, Chief Executive Officer in  letter to Sulom said “As a business, TNM distinguishes between corporate social investment and commercial sponsorship. In a sponsorship, as per normal global practice, exclusivity is critical factor in the creation of a commercial value for any sponsor”

The delay to kick off the flagship league as well as national team engagements have also led to FAM rescheduling the Chifundo Charity Shield which was initially slated for tomorrow.

Presidential Cup champions Nyasa Big Bullets, who are also the Charity Shield defending champions, and Super League champions Kamuzu Barracks were expected to meet at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe.

FAM general secretary Alfred Gunda said the Charity Shield marks the beginning of the season; hence, it cannot be played while the Super League kick off is uncertain.

 

Sports

FAM hires Gerald Phiri and De Klerk Msakakuona as assistant coaches: but sports analyst fault association for picking inexperienced people 

Maravi Post correspondent

Continue reading FAM hires Gerald Phiri and De Klerk Msakakuona as assistant coaches: but sports analyst fault association for picking inexperienced people  →

Sports

Gerald Phiri appointed Malawi acting coach ahead of China friendly game

Maravi Post correspondent

BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)–Football Association of Malawi (FAM) has appointed Azam Tigers coach Gerald Phiri Snr as Flames caretaker coach for the friendly match against China Select this month end.

The two teams are set to play during the opening ceremony of the Bingu National Stadium on January 28 in Lilongwe.

Phiri will be assisted by Blue Eagles mentor Deklerk Msakakuona, with Premier Bet Wizards FC Technical Director and owner, Peter Mponda, appointed team manager.

Fam President, Walter Nyamilandu, confirmed that the technical panel has been hired specifically for the China Select match.

Alfred Gift Gunda
Alfred Gift Gunda: yes it’s true

“Yes, it is true. But for more details, talk to the General Secretary, Alfred Gunda,” Nyamilandu said in a brief interview with The Sunday Times

Gunda confirmed Phiri’s appointment. Continue reading Gerald Phiri appointed Malawi acting coach ahead of China friendly game →