Mafco sack coach Stereo Gondwe
Mafco FC have sacked coach Stereo Gondwe after a dismal start to the season.
This comes after two back-to-back defeats in the TNM Super League.
The Salima-based soldiers lost 3-2 at home to Karonga United after a humiliating 4-0 loss to FCB Nyasa Bullets.
However, Mafco vice chairperson Cedrick Chisale downplayed the matter, saying Gondwe has been assigned other military duties.
’’He has been deployed to other duties that are not sports-related. Military men are always deployed from one directorate to another,’’ Chisale said.
Following the development, former Dwangwa United coach Ladwell Mbetewa has taken over in a caretaker capacity, with Jimmy Mzunga and Idrissa Walesi being maintained as assistants.
Unconfirmed reports suggest that Gondwe was fired while taking his players through the paces at Mafco Ground in Salima on Wednesday.
Gondwe said he enjoyed being part of the team and was not bitter.
’’Mafco will always have a special place in my heart. I wish the team all the best,’’ he said.
The former Malawi National Beach Soccer team coach helped Mafco to return to the Super League after getting relegated in 2018.
The early season struggles have seen the Malawi Defence Force (MDF) side languishing on position 11 in the elite league with three points from three matches.
Their brothers-in-arms Kamuzu Barracks (KB) and Red Lions have also made a poor start to the season and are in the drop zone.
The two teams are still searching for their first wins of the season with their respective coaching panels led by Alick Chirwa and Mike Kumanga continuously living on a knife edge.
Red Lions lost 4-1 to Silver just a week after a 3-0 loss to Mighty Mukuru Wanderers whereas KB lost 1-0 to Moyale Barracks at Civo.
Meanwhile, KB have appointed former Malawi National Football Team striker Victor Phiri as team manager.
Phiri has replaced Gift Tsoka who resigned due to other engagements.
