* The problem was not Mabedi believe me, but we have low quality players as Mabedi put it—Peter Austin
* Even if you bring Jose Mourinho here, our football will be as it is—Chisomo Mwale
* The team is very, very sick and needs a great physician — the coach has suffered the consequences of being in a sick team—Memory Kamanga
* Any coming coach from wherever he will come from, will suffer the same consequences of a sick team
By Duncan Mlanjira
There have been some mixed reactions over the firing of national football team coach Patrick Mabedi by Football Association of Malawi (FAM) — with many welcoming the move following the Flames poor showing in both Africa Cup of Nations (AfCON) 2024 qualifiers as well as the FIFA World Cup 2026™.
In its statement, FAM said the decision has been made in line with resolutions of the emergency committee meeting held on Monday, October 28 based on the recommendations from the technical committee following the dismal performance of the Flames and subsequent failure to qualify for the AfCON 2025.
FAM assures the public that it will ensure seamless continuity in the Flames’ undertakings in the various competitions that include the remaining six qualifiers of the FIFA World Cup 2026™ to be played in 2025 (March, September, October and November).
“FAM will be putting together a temporary technical panel that will lead the team into the next assignments until a substantive replacement is identified,” said the statement. “We believe that stakeholders and the public will keep on rallying behind the Flames.”
With many expressing their satisfaction over the fitting of Mabedi, others had reservations, with Peter Austin saying: “The problem was not Mabedi, believe me — we have low quality players as Mabedi put it, we will sing the same song bringing anyone else.”
Chisomo Mwale agreed saying even if FAM was to appoint Jose Mourinho as an expatriate coach, “our football will be as it is”, adding that the team hadn’t had proper transition from some of the recent great players who retired.
Johnson Kamanga stressed that the problem is not about the coach and also even if FAM was to employ Frenchman Zinedine Zidane or Pep Guardiola nothing positive can happen: We don’t have top notch players.
“We don’t have [national team players from the levels of U-14, U-17 or U-20] yet we expect best results from the senior national team. We joke a lot, we always look for shortcuts.”
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Others hinted that they are now waiting to see whether the problem was the coach, the players or FAM itself, with Henry Kayira describing FAM’s decision as bad, saying: “We will keep moving in circles. We are impatient when it comes to local coaches.”
Memory Kamanga added voice that the team “is very very sick and needs a great physician. The coach has suffered the consequences of being in a sick team. Any coming coach from wherever he will come from, will suffer the same consequences of a sick team.”
She hinted that Malawian players are only good at local football, giving an example of Nyasa Big Bullets, who have dominated the domestic league, winning the title for six times back-to-back.
“Bullets are always on top of the Super league, so do Silver Strikers while the rest of the teams just follow. On local level, goals are scored but on international tournaments, they struggle to even score goals,” she analysed.
Cassim Manda Mkombozi was of the opinion that “working in public service requires setting aside personal grudges and prioritising the people’s interests over one’s own”.
“A notable example is the incident involving Gabadinho Mhango missing his flight, prompting FAM to make arrangements for his participation. However, Mabedi rejected the proposal, leading to Gaba’s absence and our subsequent loss.
“Reflecting on Mabedi’s coaching tenure, I observed his unnecessary conflicts with experienced players and self-centered approach ultimately led to his downfall and FAM’s decision to terminate his contract, a regrettable outcome.”
Gabadinho Mhango
Others observed that the whole FAM has fired coaches willy nilly with no strides: “How many coaches have you fired and what progress have we made?”
While thanking Mabedi “for good memories during COSAFA games”, one observed that “football is a game of positive results and positive results determine the duration of a contract”, with Sydney Kacherenga emphasising that it was expected that Mabedi should be fired after been beaten by Senegal back-to-back — 4-0 away and 1-0 at home in under four days in the AfCON qualifiers.
“This is a welcome development in as far as transforming the game is concern,” he said while Connex Aaron Njobvu said: “This is the FAM we wanted, but they should sit and think rationally as far as replacement is concerned.”
Others are suggesting that Silver Strikers coach, Peter Mponda, who proved his mettle by guiding the Bankers to lead the TNM Super League 2024 right from the onset and are unbeaten in the 23 games played, should get the Flames’ job.
Peter Mponda
“He’s the most qualified and skilled guy to change the narrative,” said Thomas Mzembe of Mponda, whose team contributed nine players in Mabedi’s 26-man squad ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026™ qualifiers against São Tomé e Principe at Bingu National Stadium on June 6 and Equatorial Guinea away in Malabo on June 10.
The players were goalkeeper George Chikooka, who continue to lead in keeping clean sheets in the TNM Super League 2024, as well as Maxwell Paipi, Tatenda M’balaka, McDonald Lameck, Nickson John Mwase in defence and Chimwemwe Idana, Patrick Macheso, Uchizi Vunga and Chikondi Kamanga in midfield.
The first game of the FIFA World Cup 2026™ will be against Namibia followed by away to Tunisia both in March 2025 before meeting Namibia again away and Liberia at home — both in September.
Then in October, the Flames will host Equatorial Guinea before traveling to confront São Tomé e Principe, whom they beat 3-1 at Bingu National Stadium in June’s Matchday 3 before losing 0-1 in Matchday 4 away to Equatoguineans.
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The Flames won 1-0 in their opening campaign away to Liberia, losing 0-1 at home against Tunisia to perch on 4th place in Group H in the race for the FIFA World Cup 2026™ to be hosted jointly by the United States of America, Mexico and Canada.
The 23rd edition finals will have 48 participating countries instead of the conventional 32 giving an advantage for Africa to field more teams and the top team from each of the nine groups after Match Day 10 shall earn an automatic qualification.
The four best second-placed and top ranked teams from all nine groups will engage in a continental playoff, determining a single victor who will then proceed to a second and final playoff.
This final stage will comprise six teams from various confederations, with the top two emerging as qualified participants, ultimately making up the 48 competing teams.
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