Ernest Mtawali bemoans U-17 and 20 withdrawal
Flames Coach, Ernest Mtawali, has bemoaned Malawi’s withdrawal from African Under-17 and 20 competitions, saying it will have adverse effects on the senior national football team.
Last week, Footbal l Association of Malawi (Fam) officially withdrew from the developmental competitions— previously known as Africa Youth Championships—due to lack of funds.
Mtawa l i said it was disappointing that Fam pulled out the junior national teams from two major continental junior competitions.
“Junior national teams help in the development of young players. That is where players are nurtured and gain international exposure. If we do not change the current status, then the standards of the senior national team will dwindle,” he said yesterday.
“I am sympathising with Fam because the association needs support from the corporate world and other stakeholders to develop soccer in the country.”
Fam General Secretary, Suzgo Nyirenda, said they pulled out before the March 31 deadline to avoid sanctions, which could have ranged from U$20,000 (K13 million) to U$ 40,000 (K26 million) for both teams.
“We officially withdrew because we were not certain,” he said. Malawi last participated in the junior championship in 2014 when Mtawali was the coach.
The Junior Flames were two games away from qualifying for the finals, but lost 4-1 on aggregate to Zambia in the final qualifying round.
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