Ex Malawi coach Chimodzi says: ‘I saw the sacking coming’

Fired Flames coach Young Chimodzi claims he suspected he would not see out his contract considering events that characterized his last term in charge.

The Football Association of Malawi confirmed that its emergency executive committee meeting held on Sunday agreed to sack Chimodzi and his assistant Jack Chamangwana owing to the team’s poor performance.

Chimodzi has become the first coaching casualty of 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying after a matchday 1 home defeat by Zimbabwe.

The coach also confirmed being informed about his firing by an inside source at FAM on Saturday evening after the Zimbabwe game, but was quick to point out that he saw it coming.

Chimodzi and Chamangwana are former national team stars as is Ernest Mtawali, who has been put in temporary charge.

Quizzed how he took the news, Chimodzi said it was part of life and insists life goes on.

“I thank FAM and government for their support. It’s part of life and l wish Ernest all the best as he take over from me,” said Chimodzi.

On his future he said: “We will see how it goes but mind you lam a business man so for the meantime l will concentrate on my business.”

FAM hopes to name a permanent coach by August 1 after considering local and foreign applicants.

Malawi are in Group L and the other match in that mini-league also produced a shock with Swaziland winning 2-1 away to 2015 Cup of Nations quarter-finalists Guinea.

Swaziland host Malawi in early September in matchday 2 and another loss for the ‘Flames’ would almost certainly extinguish any chance of reaching the 2017 tournament in Gabon.

Only group winners are guaranteed finals places, with just the best two runners-up from the 12 four-team groups accompanying them.