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| Sports |
| Fam executive members clash on issue of coaches |
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by
Garry Chirwa, 30 September 2003
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19:37:43
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Confusion rocked Fam executive on Monday as some of the influential members still pushed for instant removal of the Flames’ coaching panel led by Alan Gillett while others threw their full weight behind the coach and his backroom staff.
Lilongwe-based executive member McCollins Chibvunde disclosed on Tuesday that even after unanimously agreeing to shelve the issue, some unsatisfied members made a U-turn and persistently demanded the coaches’ removal.
“Immediately after the Cosafa Castle Cup final first leg 2-1 loss to Zimbabwe, the acting president Sameer Suleman called for an emergency caucus right at the stadium to find out what should be done following the loss.
“And some members such as George Kaudza Masina, Charles Kafatiya, Peter Chavula and treasurer Hubert Mfune openly demanded the removal of the coaching panel, suggesting that they be replaced with an interim one comprising technical committee chair Henry Moyo, Young Chimodzi and Dave Mpesi,” explained Chibvunde.
But Chibvunde said other members including himself, vice president Suleman, Steve Msambila, Julius Mithi and Flora Mwandila countered the proposal.
“In fact Kaudza Masina actually said they had sold the idea to Hon. Moyo and he was in agreement with the move. But after a lengthy debate it was agreed that the coaches should continue. We argued that perhaps the coaches might have some shortfalls but it was not proper to dismiss them just because we had lost to Zimbabwe.
“We felt the way forward was to advise the technical committee to observe the panel and offer advice where necessary. We further suggested that the panel could be reviewed if the Flames fail to impress in the next two games and everybody consented,” said Chibvunde.
Chibvunde said surprisingly, he received a telephone call from Kaudza Masina the following day (Monday) asking him to get hold of Chimodzi and tell him to travel to Blantyre to take over coaching of the national team.
“When I quizzed Kaudza Masina on who had made that decision, he explained that it was the technical committee, and its chair Hon. Moyo in particular, who insisted on the changes and had suggested that Chimodzi should take over.
“But I still quizzed him further on who had more powers to change the executive’s decision and he did not give me a satisfactory answer and as such I did not contact Chimodzi,” said Chibvunde.
Fam’s stand-in boss Suleman confirmed the development on Tuesday and accused some officials of trying to cause confusion in the association.
“You can imagine this is happening when we have just five days before we play the second leg. There are some people within the executive who do things without consultations.
“As the acting president I am saying the present coaching panel will continue. The defeat was painful, the coaching panel made some mistakes we agree, but does that warrant instant removal? Will we be solving problems by appointing new coaches just a few days before another game?” queried Suleman.
He said the coaches and their charges should be left in peace so that they should concentrate on preparations for the second leg match in Harare scheduled for this Sunday. |
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