Former SA U20 coach unveiled as Fifa academy coach in Malawi

Former South Africa under-20 national football team mentor Thabo Senong has been unveiled as the Fifa talent coach for Luwinga Inclusive Academy in Malawi on a two-year contract.

Football Association of Malawi (FAM) president Fleetwood Haiya introduced Senong to the Malawi football fraternity during a press conference in the Northern Region city of Mzuzu on Thursday.

Haiya, who replaced long-serving FAM president Walter Nyamilandu last December, said he was optimistic the 44-year-old would help herald a new era for Malawi football.

He said the opening of the Fifa-funded academy aligns with his vision of transforming the country’s game through youth football development and export strategy.

“The Fifa talent coach has been designated to be in charge of the Luwinga Academy. Fifa has helped us because it is not going to be FAM looking after the coach in terms of his salary. The Fifa talent coach is going to help us not only at Luwinga Inclusive Academy but also as Malawi to capacitate other coaches,” he said.

He said the academy hosts 42 under-14 boys and girls who go to school in addition to learning football while catering for their school fees, accommodation and meals.

In his speech, the former Lesotho national team and Sekhukhune United mentor hailed Fifa for funding the establishment of the academy, which he said could help transform Malawi football.

He said his mandate is to ensure that children at the youth level get exposure and the right football education for their talent and character development.

“Our job as Fifa is to make sure that from the youth level, we assist the NAs, which is FAM, with talent identification and development. Talent shines very well when we create a safe environment. I am enjoying the discovery phase [in Malawi]. Every day is about learning new things and new cultures. I cannot wait to work with the coaches,” Senong said.

The South African was last in charge of Singida Fountain Gate FC in Tanzania earlier this year.

He proved his mettle in talent development after steering Amajimbos to the 2017 and 2019 editions of Fifa World Cup finals for under-20s.

Senong has been assigned to Malawi under the Fifa Talent Development Scheme, the brainchild of the world football governing body’s chief of global football development, Arsène Wenger.