FA Malawi brands coach Mtawali critics as ‘Monday coaches’

Football Association of Malawi (FAM)  has hit back at critics following that national team’s 2-1 home defeat to Guinea in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifier on Tuesday.

General Secretary Suzgo Nyirenda said the soccer fraternity should reflect on their input hence sharing the blame.

Nyirenda’s statements follows mounting pressure on coach Ernest Mtawali to recall old guards who were overlooked for youthful players.

But the inclusion of Joseph Kamwendo, Harry Nyirenda, Robert Ng’ambi, Chimango Kayira, Zico Mkanda, Gabadinho Mhango, among foreign based in the Guinea games did not yield anything tangible.

Flames 2-1 loss was preceded by an encouraging goalless draw in Conakry March 25.

“Let’s us not blame FAM that we gave coach Ernest Mtawali pressure to abandon the rebuilding exercise for old players because we wanted to win,” he said.

“Everybody was of the opinion that we needed experienced players. After drawing in Guinea who could think of losing  here at home. I call such people Monday coaches.”

Times Goup sports editor Peter Kanjere who is also a sports analyst blamed the loss on the pressure to recall experienced players.

Backing coach Mtawali’s philosophy of rebuilding, Kanjere said the recall of experienced players had not made any difference to the campaign.

He also faulted FAM and Malawi government for a tendency of opting for short term contract instead of long term deals.

Malawi are on bottom of the group L with two points from four games with two games against Zimbabwe and Swaziland to wrap up the campaign.