Council endorses FAM’s request on Flames coach

Malawi National Council  of Sports says it has endorsed FAM’s request to extend Flames coach Meck Mwase’s contract by three months.

Football Association of Malawi (FAM) made the request last week on the basis that the Flames mentor’s contract expires at the end of the month ahead of the two remaining Africa Cup of Nations’ (Afcon) qualifiers against South Sudan and Uganda in March.

Sports Council acting executive secretary Henry Mereka said: “We got the letter last Thursday and we will be requesting for an extension  of the contract  to government based on the reasons given by FAM that it is only fair to let the coach preside over the remaining matches for fair assessment.

“However, in the letter there is an acknowledgement that the performance of the national team has not been satisfactory.

Last week, FAM president  Walter Nyamilandu said: “Consultations are underway with the Ministry of Youth and Sports to extend the contract of the national coach for 3 months from 31st January to 31st March, 2021.

“This would give us an opportunity to fairly assess his performance after completing the last assignments against Uganda and South Sudan.”

FAM set 2022 Afcon qualification target for Mwase.

The Flames will face South Sudan’s Bright Stars on March 24 away before hosting Uganda Cranes in their last qualifier five days later.

Malawi are currently third in Group H with four points from four matches, four  points behind group leaders Burkina Faso’s Stallions and three behind second-placed Uganda.

South Sudan are bottom of the four-team group with three points.

Only the top two teams from each group will qualify.