Former Maziya head coach Luisma Hernandez remains stranded in Maldives after his contract with the club expired, due to disruptions to international flights linked to tensions in the Middle East.
Hernandez took charge of Maziya in January last year on a one year contract, which was later extended until February. The club and the Spanish coach agreed not to renew the deal after it expired last month.
Although his contract has ended, Hernandez has been unable to return home and is still in Maldives with his family.
Mihaaru News has learned that his departure was delayed due to flight disruptions following the conflict involving Iran, Israel and the United States, which led to the suspension of several flights through Middle Eastern airspace.
According to information obtained by Mihaaru News, Maziya covered Hernandez’s flight ticket, while he personally paid for the tickets of his wife and child. Hernandez had planned to travel on a Middle Eastern airline, having previously worked in Kuwait.
Sources said Hernandez and his family went to the airport twice to arrange their travel, but their flights were cancelled and they had to return home.
Some Middle Eastern airlines have now resumed services, and Hernandez has been informed that his flight is expected to be confirmed next week.
Hernandez, who previously worked with the Real Madrid and Barcelona youth academies, won three trophies during his time with Maziya.
Under his guidance, the club won the Dhivehi Premier League, the Charity Shield, and the FAM League Cup, an off-season tournament held last year.
Maziya also reached the President’s Cup final, but lost to Odi Sports on penalties the only domestic trophy Hernandez missed during his stint.
With the coach’s departure, assistant coach Ahmed Shuzair will take charge of the team for the FA Cup next month, the only remaining competition for first division clubs this season.
Shuzair has previously served as interim coach for Maziya on several occasions and has won trophies in that role.
Former Maziya coach Risto Vidakovic of Serbia left the club after the 2022 Dhivehi Premier League season, after which Shuzair also briefly took charge of the team.
