Former Malawi National Football Team coach Patrick Mabedi has asked Football Association of Malawi (Fam) to support Flames coach Kallisto Pasuwa in his preparations for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifiers.
Mabedi said the Flames have a genuine chance of qualifying for the finals of the continental showpiece with proper support.
He said the Zimbabwean should also be allowed to select players purely based on merit. Mabedi, who was sacked midway into his two-year contract in October 2024 following five straight defeats in all competitions, made the remarks in Times Television’s Mtedzamtedza sport programme.
During the programme, the former Flames and Kaizer Chiefs captain also opened up on his own turbulent spell in charge of the national team.
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“We have chances of qualifying for the 2027 Afcon if Fam supports Pasuwa. They have to give him whatever he need sample time for preparations, friendly games and camping outside Malawi. If he wants players in camp, they have to turn up. There has to be support, because a coach needs a lot of things to deliver,” he said.
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To go through to the finals, Malawi must perform well against Egypt, Angola and South Sudan who will also be fighting for the same ticket.
The qualifiers start in September with the Flames starting at home against South Sudan before traveling to Angola.
Fam fired Mabedi on recommendations from its technical committee following the dismal performance of the Flames and their subsequent failure to qualify for the 2025 Afcon.
He had initially impressed in a caretaker role, guiding the team to three wins, two draws and two defeats after taking over from Mario Marinica whose contract was not renewed beyond April 2023.
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However, his permanent tenure told a different story, yielding just two wins, a draw and eight losses in 11 games across all competitions.
The former FCB Nyasa Big Bullets skipper claimed he was unfairly treated during his tenure as Flames coach and blamed Fam for failing to support him, arguing that a change in the association’s leadership—from Walter Nyamilandu to Fleetwood Haiya—had a direct impact on the backing he received.
“I think I was unfairly treated, because of personal political reasons. The support was not as it was at first,” Mabedi said.
Fam Operations Director Gomezgani Zakazaka said they remain fully committed to supporting Pasuwa as the Flames chase qualification for the 2027 tournament.
“We are committed to ensuring thorough preparations for the Flames.
That is why in the past three Fifa international windows—November, March and June—we gave the team six class A friendly matches to help it prepare well.
“Qualifying for the 2027 Afcon is one of our main targets and we are putting in every effort to ensure the team is well supported and performs well,” Zakazaka said.
