Backlash

Football Association of Malawi (FAM) president Walter Nyamilandu’s statement that he does not play football; hence, he cannot resign due to the Flames’ poor performance has attracted a backlash with Lilongwe and Mzuzu concerned supporters joining Blantyre-based ones’ plans to demonstrate against the beleaguered FAM boss.

A highly-charged Nyamilandu told the media that he will not fire Flames coach Ronny Van Geneugden (RVG) and that he will also see through his term when he addressed a press conference at Mpira House in Chiwembe, Blantyre on Wednesday.

Though Nyamilandu said he would invite the concerned supporters to a football summit on October 27, Blantyre demonstration leader Ajassi Kaliwo, said Nyamilandu’s statement at the press conference was empty.

He said: “Of course, he has said he will not stand again at the next FAM elections and that is a welcome development. But he is insisting on keeping this coach [RVG] saying he has done a lot and Malawi is playing like Barcelona. That is a big joke.

“So we are going on with the march at a date to be announced. Lilongwe and Mzuzu concerned supporters have also joined us. As you can see it’s not just a few people that are concerned, there are many of us.”

Lilongwe demonstrations organisers are expected to meet at Civil Stadium on this Saturday to agree on the date and route of the march, according one of the organisers, Dyson Mussa.

But Mzuzu demonstrations leader Brown Afiki said they had already set September 26 as day for the march from Mzuzu Stadium to Malawi National Council of Sports offices.

“We had no intention of marching. But what the FAM president said at the press conference has made us to take action. As a leader, he cannot tell Malawians that he doesn’t play football so he is not responsible. I think he has lost direction. It’s either he fires RVG or he must resign himself,” he said.

Football analyst George Chiusiwa also faulted Nyamilandu for his emotional outburst.

He said: “It’s an insult to Malawians for the FAM boss to say that he doesn’t need to shoulder the blame because he doesn’t play football and that he has done enough to provide resources. Which resources is he referring to?

“The government provides funds to FAM through the Malawi National Sports Council. Fifa provides money to FAM not to individuals, but to the country because we are a member association. Fifa can fund us even if we have another FAM President tomorrow,” he said. n