Mtawali brought down to earth:  Malawi coach safe from sack even if Flames fail to qualify

Football Association of Malawi (FAM) says it will not sack Flames coach Ernest Mtawali even if the national team fail to qualify for  the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon).

Mtawali replaced  Young Chimodzi as the man in charge following Flames  disappointing performances, but as has been the trend Malawi are in danger of missing out on next year’s showpiece in Gabon as they anchor the four-team Group L with two points from four games.

FAM secretary general Suzgho Nyirenda and president Walter Nyamilandu both indicated Mtawali and his deputy Nswazirimo Ramadhan will be safe even if the team fails to qualify.

Mtawali nonetheless still  hopes Malawi can still qualify for Gabon 2017 Africa Cup of Nations.

“We still have qualification chances. We will fight on,” said Mtawali.

“We still have six more points to play for. We will try to reach eight points and then see where that puts us. Of course we are keeping our fingers crossed that maybe the other group results go our way,” he added.

“We need to put more in terms of our preparations. It doesn’t mean that if we are anchoring the group we sit and think everything will work automatically. So we need to prepare ourselves very well so that we collect maximum points against them,” said the former Flames midfielder.

He has since apologised to the nation for the  1-2 loss  against Guinea’s Syli Nationale in a return-leg at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre on Tuesday.

“On behalf of the players, I apologise to all Malawians for this [awful] performance,” said Mtawali.

He said sorry to the nation for the dump defeat.

Captain Limbikani Mzaka also apologised.

Flames will face Zimbabwe in Harare and their final match will be against Swaziland in Blantyre.