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| Sports |
| It’s a big task, says Ng’onamo |
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by
Garry Chirwa, 03 November 2003
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17:32:04
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Newly appointed national soccer team caretaker coach Eddie Ng’onamo stressed on Sunday that he is not in a cold sweat over the prospect of taking charge of the Flames in the World Cup preliminary second leg against Ethiopia scheduled for November 18 in Lilongwe..
However, Ng’onamo made his position plain and asked football authorities to give local coaches the same support that is given to expatriates.
“The position of national coach is quite terrifying because there are lots of expectation but I am not in fear. To me it is a challenge that I have taken with both hands.
“But I can only deliver if I am given full support by all the stakeholders like Fam, Sports Council, government and indeed the entire soccer fraternity...it’s certainly not a one man’s job,” said Ng’onamo.
He also noted that there is a general tendency in Malawi to look down upon local coaches instead of giving them courage.
“You will note that expatriate coaches, especially whites are given all the support compared to local coaches when it comes to the national team.
“I would like to ask the soccer fraternity in general and the authorities in particular to accord local coaches like myself the same support that is given to expatriates. That is the only way we can motivate locals,” said Ng’onamo.
The coach also disclosed that he has proposed seasoned mentor Yasin ‘Teacher’ Osman who is also MTL Wanderers’ technical director and Bakili Bullets coach Gilbert Chirwa to be his assistants.
“Fam came up with a list of names and asked me whom I would prefer to be my assistants and I settled for Osman and Chirwa.
“I have a lot of respect for Osman being an experienced coach and I am sure he can assist me in a number of areas. I have also worked with Gilbert before so I should have no problems with him,” said Ng’onamo.
Fam spokesman George Kaudza Masina confirmed the development but said the association is waiting for a response from both coaches’ employers on whether they can be released.
“Mr. Osman is a manager at Country Club Limbe and we have written his employers to see if they can release him, the same applies with Chirwa, we have also asked Bullets for his release,” said Kaudza Masina.
N’gonamo also that he had proposed to Fam that the Flames should go into camp today.
“I have already submitted a proposal to Fam and I am waiting for their response. But it’s important that we should start our preparations early because our Ethiopian counterparts are already in camp.
“In fact they went into camp immediately after we had beaten them 3-1 in the first leg. Their team which is predominantly under-23 was also in Morocco for a tournament recently,” said Ng’onamo.
However, Kaudza Masina said Fam is waiting for government’s approval before the Flames go into camp.
The Flames won the World Cup preliminary first leg 3-1 against Ethiopia in Addis Ababa last month.
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