Civo Clears Air on Legends’ Training Presence, Denies Technical Panel Roles

Civil Service United Football Club (Civo) has moved to quash rumors circulating that Malawian football legends Kinnah Phiri and Young Chimodzi have joined their technical panel. The club clarified that while the two indeed attended training sessions last week, they have not been appointed to any official roles.

Reports had surfaced on Saturday suggesting Phiri and Chimodzi were actively overseeing Civo’s training, with some even claiming head coach Abbas Makawa was merely observing. However, sources within the club vehemently denied these assertions, confirming that Makawa has been fully in charge of drilling the players.

“Indeed, Phiri and Chimodzi have been at our training ground, and they were also involved in some training sessions. However, they haven’t been given roles in the team’s technical panel. The information is untrue,” a source close to the club stated.

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The source explained that Kinnah Phiri’s presence was in his capacity as an employee of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, suggesting his visit was part of his official duties rather than a new coaching assignment. “Civil is a government team, and Kinnah Phiri is working with the Ministry of Youth and Sports. He just came as part of his role… Did you see them on the bench against Songwe Border FC? They are not in our technical panel,” the source emphasized.

Meanwhile, the club confirmed that Assistant Coach Wilson Chidati has been demoted to the Reserve team, though the reasons behind this decision were not disclosed.

Civo, known as “The Servants,” has seen a recent resurgence in form after a slow start to the 2025 season, securing notable victories against FCB Nyasa Big Bullets and Songwe Border FC.