Malawi national football team head coach Kinnha Phiri remained tight-lipped regarding questions about his future after speculation that he was gearing up for Tanzania top flight league side Simba F.C.
Several other premier league clubs in South Africa are also said to be interested in the Malawi Flames’ mentor.
“I have a very clear contract with the Malawi Government which runs up to 2015, which is important,” Kinnah said after Malawi lost 1-0 to Kenya on Tuesday to be bundled out of CECAFA football tournament
The Malawi Parliament was told recently that Phiri’s contract would be reviewed after defeat to lowly-rated Rwanda in the opening match of the tournament was not taken kindly by Malawians.
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Staying put: Kinnah has no intention of quitting
The CECAFA tournament is contested by countries in the East African region, but Malawi was taking part as a guest participant.
Sports Minister Enoch Chihana told Parliament he shared the national anger with the team’s poor showing and announced that the national coach, whose salary is paid by government, had been warned he would be fired.
Malawi went on to win their two group games against minnows Eritrea and Zanzibar but lost in quarter-finals to the Kenya’s Harambe Stars.
But despite being booted out, Kinnah, who has been attacking his critics sang the same song of building a team in a post-match interview with SuperSport TV.
“We have a good team and we played well but luck eluded us,” he said.
“I came here with a lot of young and new players and the four games we have played have helped us measure our strength ahead of the World Cup group qualifiers next year,” said Kinnah.
Kinnha, who repeatedly rebuffed questions on his future, has failed to nip the issue in the bud.
The Malawi coach could also not quash speculation that that he is set to quit his job and seek greener pastures in South Africa.
