A debate has ensued on nominees for the inaugural Football Association of Malawi (Fam) awards scheduled for February 21 in Blantyre.
This comes at a time the association unveiled nominees for various categories on Wednesday.
Some of the football analysts claimed that some of the nominees did not deserve nomination.
Sports analyst Parry Chinyama said he was satisfied with nominees for the Men’s Young Player of the Year award.
“This category is well deserving and justified.
“As for the other categories, I am very sceptical as to what criteria Fam has used, especially on the men’s football [category],” Chinyama said.
Three coaches, namely Peter Mponda, Elia Kananji and Kalisto Pasuwa, have been nominated for the Best Men’s Coach of the Year award.
Mponda, who is now FCB Nyasa Big Bullets coach, has been nominated for helping Silver Strikers end their 11-year wait for the TNM Super League whereas Kananji redefined the domestic football landscape when he helped Blue Eagles to become the first second-tier side to win the FDH Bank Cup.
He also led the team to return to the TNM Super League unbeaten the entire season.
On the other hand, Pasuwa, despite Bullets’ struggles last season, defended the Airtel Top 8 Cup.
Ascent Soccer Academy coach Thom Mkolongo, Civil Service United team manager Linda Kasenda and FCB Nyasa Big Bullets Women coach Maggie Chombo have been nominated for the Best Women’s Coach award.
Sports analyst George Kaudza- Masina said Fam should come out clearly on the criteria used for selecting the nominees.
“For the coaches in men’s football, the nominees are deserving, unlike in women’s football, considering that the season is still ongoing,” he said.
Mzuzu City Hammers former goalkeeper Chancy Mtete (now with Mighty Wanderers), Silver defender MacDonald Lameck and Moyale Barracks striker Emmanuel Allan have been nominated for Men’s Young Player of the Year award.
Fam Competitions and Communications Director Gomezgani Zakazaka was not readily available for a comment yesterday.
The voting process will run from next Monday to Friday.
According to Fam, for the Castel Challenge Cup and FDH Bank Cup, the jury will comprise of the two competition’s technical study group members and selected football journalists.
Super League teams’ captains, coaches and fans will vote for the overall awards.
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