Minister Gangata Cracks the Whip on FAM Over Flames’ Continued Collapse
Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Alfred Gangata has reportedly confronted the Football Association of Malawi (FAM) leadership over the Flames’ continued poor performances, demanding answers amid growing public frustration over the state of football in the country.
During a closed-door meeting held at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe on Tuesday, Gangata is said to have taken a tough stance against FAM officials, questioning why the national team continues to underperform despite years of investment, administrative reforms, and public support.
The meeting brought together officials from the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the Malawi National Council of Sports, and FAM leadership led by president Fleetwood Haiya.
According to sources familiar with the discussions, the minister did not hide his dissatisfaction with the direction of Malawian football, telling football authorities that ordinary citizens are losing patience with the Flames’ repeated failures on the international stage.
“He said Malawians are deeply concerned with the Flames’ continued poor showing and wanted clear explanations from FAM,” a source said.
The development signals mounting pressure on FAM from government as public criticism intensifies over the national team’s inconsistent performances, lack of competitiveness, and failure to make meaningful progress regionally and internationally.
Ministry spokesperson Macmillan Mwale confirmed that the issue of the Flames’ struggles was raised during the meeting, although he described the broader engagement as constructive and focused on improving coordination among football stakeholders.
“First and foremost, the meeting was about improving coordination and general management presentation and it was successful,” said Mwale.
However, he acknowledged that Gangata specifically sought explanations regarding the national team’s poor form.
“The minister wanted to understand why the national team is not performing well and the FAM president explained that it has something to do with the type of players we currently have,” Mwale explained.
According to Mwale, Haiya told the minister that Malawi must intensify efforts to scout and recruit more players from the diaspora in order to strengthen the national team.
The explanation, however, is likely to do little to calm frustrated football supporters who have watched the Flames struggle for consistency despite frequent promises of transformation and reform.
The meeting also reportedly exposed deeper divisions within Malawi football administration itself.
Sources say Gangata questioned FAM over its deteriorating relationship with the Super League of Malawi (Sulom), particularly amid tensions surrounding the management and usage of Kamuzu Stadium.
The minister is also said to have raised concerns over allegations that National Women’s Football Association chairperson Adellaide Migogo is being sidelined within football governance structures.
According to insiders, FAM admitted during the discussions that its relationship with Sulom has become strained.
The source said Gangata directed that before FAM proceeds with disciplinary action against Sulom over the Kamuzu Stadium dispute, all parties — including Sulom and the Women’s Football Association — must first appear before the ministry for mediation.
The intervention highlights growing concern within government that infighting and governance disputes are now undermining football development and destabilizing the sport’s administration.
The source further claimed that Migogo openly acknowledged feeling sidelined on certain football matters, although ministry spokesperson Mwale declined to comment on the issue.
For many observers, the meeting reflects increasing frustration within government over what is perceived as stagnation in Malawian football despite repeated restructuring efforts.
While FAM has received praise for improving women’s football and expanding grassroots initiatives, critics argue that the Flames remain the ultimate measure of football progress in the eyes of the public — and results have simply not been good enough.
In an interview after the meeting, Haiya confirmed the engagement and described it as part of efforts to strengthen football development.
“We discussed several issues towards the development of football and achievement of our transformative agenda,” he said.
Sports Council board chairperson Jim Kalua also described the discussions as important, especially considering recent tensions within football administration.
“It was necessary that we move together,” Kalua said. “At the end of the day, football must win.”
But behind the diplomatic language, the message emerging from the meeting was unmistakable: government is becoming increasingly impatient with poor results, internal wrangles, and what many now see as a leadership crisis in Malawian football.
And with public anger rising over the Flames’ continued decline, pressure is now firmly mounting on FAM to deliver answers — and results.
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If the feeling is that FAM is the cause of the dwindling soccer standards in the country, we are getting it wrong. It requires concerted efforts – from Government, private sector (as sponsors), FAM itself, soccer clubs and players themselves. Are our Super Leagues clubs growing? In which countries are our soccer exports playing? Mozambique, Zimbabwe and South Africa! None of these are not soccer powerhouses. How often have we changed national soccer team coaches? No stability! Surely the problem is beyond FAM!
Coming to the recent meeting the Minister had with football stakeholders, it’s stemming from the recent standoff between SULOM and FAM and the Minister is clearly taking sides here. His intervention is divisive, not constructive.