The Football Association of Maldives (FAM) has appointed Mohamed Shiyaz, commonly known as Mohan, as the head coach of the national football team.

The decision was finalised at an Executive Committee meeting held on Thursday. Mohan will lead the team in next month’s friendly matches against Sri Lanka and in the AFC Asian Cup qualifiers scheduled for October and November.

As part of the qualifiers, the Maldives will play against Tajikistan away on 9 October and host them in Malé on 14 October.

Mohan, an AFC Pro Licence holder, previously served as an assistant coach of the senior national team and as FAM’s technical director. He has also coached at Club Eagles, New Radiant SC, Maziya SRC, and Mahibadhoo, and achieved success at both club and island level, including winning the 2012 Domestic League title with New Radiant without losing a single match. This marks his first appointment as head coach of a national team.

Meanwhile, FAM has appointed Sobah Mohamed, widely known as Soba, as head coach of the Maldives Under-17 side. He will lead the team in the upcoming SAFF U-17 Championship in Sri Lanka and the U-17 Asian Cup qualifiers.

Soba, an AFC A Licence coach, has previously worked with New Radiant, Green Streets, Valencia, and Victory SC. Renowned as one of the best defenders in Maldivian football history, he was part of the national squad that won the SAFF Championship in 2008. He has also earned a reputation for successfully nurturing young players.