adminGarry Chirwa in BLANTYRE, Malawi
BARELY a day after going down 1-2 to Zimbabwe’s Warriors in a 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier, the Football Association of Malawi have fired Flames’ coach Young Chimodzi and his assistant Jack Chamangwana. FAM convened an emergency executive committee meeting yesterday morning here where it was unanimously agreed to fire the two Flames legends.
In a Press statement signed by general secretary Suzgo Nyirenda, FAM stated that it had recommended that the contracts of the two coaches, which are due to expire on July 31, should not be renewed.
FAM have since appointed Flames legend Ernest Mtawali as the caretaker coach.
“FAM would like to note that it has lost confidence in the coaches due to poor performance of the Malawi national football team generally during their term of engagement culminating in the recent loss to the Zimbabwe national football team.
“Since assuming responsibility in March 2014 the coaches have been in charge of 23 matches of which they won six, drew five and lost 12 representing a 23 percent winning rate.
“In view of the above, FAM will, upon consultation with Malawi Government, advertise for the position of the Malawi national football team head coach as soon as possible.
“It is expected that the new coach will be appointed by the 1st August 2015. FAM will cast its net wider both locally and internationally in search of a new coach,” read part of the Press statement.
“In order to manage the transition and ensure a smooth handover, FAM have advised Chimodzi and Chamangwana to immediately go on leave pending the expiry of their contracts.
“FAM has (since) appointed Ernest Mtawali as a caretaker coach for the Malawi national football team during the transition.
“He will immediately assume responsibility of the Flames in preparation for the friendly match against Uganda during the country’s Independence Day Celebrations.
“FAM would like to express its disappointment with the result against Zimbabwe in a match which it feels the Flames were in a better position to win and accordingly apologise to the nation for the painful loss,” the statement said.
Despite the crisis which rocked their camp in the countdown to the fixture, the Warriors defied the odds to register a vital away win through goals from Cuthbert Malajila and Khama Billiat while John Banda scored for the Flames.
Online Reporter