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| MALAWI : A new coach for the 'Flames' |
After Malawi Sports minister JAFFALIE MUSSA announced in February that 44-year old Englishman Stephen CONSTANTINE had been appointed at the head of the national team, the new coach arrived in Malawi on Wednesday 7 March. He immediately started his duty the day after by drilling the national Under-23 side ahead of their forthcoming qualifier against Zambia.
CONSTANTINE who has signed a five-year contract with Malawi got the job ahead of Brazilian Carlos Alberto da LUZ. Malawi Football Association (MFA) boss Walter NYAMIRANDU MANDA told BBC Sport that the interviews of CONSTANTINE and da LUZ "were thorough and meticulous." The new coach warned Malawi football officials he will not allow anybody to influence his team selection. After saying his main target is to qualify the Flames for the 2010 World Cup, he warned also players against indiscipline if his vision is to be achieved.
Chosen to replace German Burkhard ZIESE who was sacked last year for gross indiscipline, CONSTANTINE is considered as one of the highest-qualified coaches England has to offer, since he gained a UEFA professional licence, an FA Psychology Award and an FA Coach Educator's Certificate. Before accepting to take the Flames in charge he was coaching the English Championship side Millwall last year, after having trained Nepal's national team for two years. He led India to win their first major trophy outside the subcontinent when they clinched the LG Cup in Vietnam in 2002.
Samuel MBAJUM
(Source: Aubrey SUMBULETA, BBC Sport, Blantyre)
18/03/2007 |
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