‘Concerned members’ call for Fam boss’ head
A group calling itself Concerned Citizens of Ndirande is calling for the resignation of Football Association of Malawi (Fam) President Walter Nyamilandu.
However, Nyamilandu said he is not surprised as the same grouping was allegedly sponsored to demonstrate during Flames’ match against Egypt in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations Group D qualifiers at Bingu National Stadium last week.
The grouping has penned Nyamilandu following Malawi National Football Team’s poor performance.
“We are the concerned citizens of Ndirande who have been saddened by the results of our national team. The performance of our national team has been extremely embarrassing and shameful to the nation.
“We want to make it a point that we are concerned citizens of this nation. We do not like to be associated with failures,” reads the letter dated April 4 2023.
The group has asked Nyamilandu to step down within 14 days, failing which they have threatened to take unspecified action.
“We are of the view that Fam failed us for a long time as such we seek the immediate resignation of its president Walter Nyamilandu. If you do not comply within 14 days from the date hereof, we shall have no option but to take action against the president up until he resigns.
“We hope you are aware that the whole nation is not pleased with the national team’s performance and you are aware that everyone is against your leadership; as such, you need to act accordingly and avoid further embarrassment,” reads the letter, which has been signed by Precious Zulu.
Nyamilandu said he is expecting the worst.
“I am not surprised and, in fact, I am expecting the worst because it is the same grouping that was sponsored to carry hateful messages through placards and banners and to chant death threats against me at BNS.
“I am not moved at all, and I am on my guard against any plot to damage my reputation or to cause bodily harm to me. I will not be forced to do things under duress or to act out of fear,” he said.
Nyamilandu said he cannot quit, having inspired the Flames to reach the Round of 16 at last year’s Afcon finals in Cameroon.
“One thing for sure is that I am not a quitter. I am a man on a mission to finish what I started so that I can realise our shared dream of Raising The Bar.
“No-one in their sane senses can tell the nation that qualifying to the Round of 16 at Afcon in Cameroon was a sign of failure. The motives are clearly sinister and not in good faith,” he said.
The Flames have lost back-to-back Africa Cup of Nations Group D qualifiers, having gone down to Egypt 4-0 at Bingu National Stadium and 2-0 to the Pharaohs in Cairo.
The Flames have three points from four matches, at par with Ethiopia.
Egypt and Guinea look set to make it from the group as they are tied at nine points each, with the former topping the table by virtue of a better goal difference.
