Young Chimodzi fired
Football Association of Malawi (Fam) emergency meeting on Sunday fired Flames coach, Young Chimodzi and his assistant Jack Chamangwana following Saturday’s 1-2 loss to Zimbabwe in 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.
The executive committee has since appointed Ernest Mtawali as caretaker coach.
According to a statement released by Fam general secretary, Suzgo Nyirenda, Fam would advise government not to renew Chimodzi’s contract when it expires on July 31.
“At its Emergency Executive Committee meeting held on 14th June 2015 at the Chiwembe Technical Centre in Blantyre, the Football Association of Malawi (Fam) has resolved to recommend to Malawi Government not to renew the contracts of employment of the current Malawi national football team’s head coach and his assistant which are due for expiry on 31st July 2015,” the statement reads in part.
“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 into the recent loss to the Zimbabwe national football team.”
The coaches have since been sent on leave pending the expiry of their contracts.
Caretaker coach Mtawali has since assumed responsibility of the Flames in preparation for the friendly match against Uganda during the country’s Independence Day Celebrations on July 6.
Since assuming responsibility in March 2014, the coach has been in charge of 23 matches of which he won six, drew five and lost 12 representing a 23 percent winning rate.
After Saturday’s game, coach Chimodzi, said he had no regrets over the tactical decisions he made.
In the post-match interview, Chimodzi said his decisions were justified and he had no regrets.
“We were not operating the way we wanted to. Lanjesi had a bad day therefore we had to substitute him. However, I don’t have any regrets over every decision made during the match,” he said.
“After the preparations we had, we had the belief that the players would do well but we simply did not play well. We created chances but could not utilise them.”
The result was a big blow to the Flames’ hopes of qualification after dropping three of the nine home points targeted to help the Flames qualify for the Gabon finals.
The Flames conceded the opener in the 22nd minute of the first half when Cuthbert Malajira capitalised on Harry Nyirenda’s poor defending to score past Flames goalkeeper MacDonald Harawa.
The Flames quickly responded a minute later through the impressive John Banda who scored from close range.
The Flames failed to take control of the match in the second half and they eventually conceded a second goal seven minutes from time when man-of-the-match Khama Biliati embarrassed Harawa with a goal from a cross-cum-shot far on the left.
The Flames’ next assignment is in September away to Swaziland who defeated Guinea 2-1
A vibrant writer who gives a great insight on hot topics and issues
