Fam calms Flames storm
Football Association of Malawi (FAM) has moved to calm the storm in Flames’ camp in Saudi Arabia which it has attributed to changes in the team’s technical panel set up.
FAM’s intervention followed concerns raised through The Nation on Thursday by some players over interim coach Marian Mario Marinica’s attitude and the change in style of play ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) finals in Cameroon from January 9 to February 6 2022.
FAM president Walter Nyamilandu said in an interview on Thursday that the issue is now under control.
He said: “We made a follow up on the matter and, so far, the situation is under control.
“We are working closely with the players so that the objective of introducing a new philosophy is clearly understood and embraced by everyone.
“Having made changes to the set up of the technical panel, the national team is undergoing change management at the training camp in Saudi Arabia as the head of technical [Marinica]is introducing a new style of play and new ways of working.”
Nyamilandu said it is imminent that for the Flames to go and compete effectively at the Afcon finals, they need to depart from business as usual “given that the team performed badly in the just-ended 2022 World Cup qualifiers”.
“As expected from any major change management project, the change turnaround times for players is expected to vary.
“Currently, some players are adapting very well while others are finding it hard to cope instantly,” he said.
The FAM president said they are optimistic of yielding the desired results having put in place measures to support the change process by attaching a psychologist and some local change agents to the team.
One of the players confided in The Nation on Wednesday that most of the players were unhappy with Marinica’s conduct and the style of play he is implementing.
He said: “The treatment of the coach towards the players is very bad. Vulgar language and what not.
“He has changed the style of play to long balls all the time. No build ups. Everything is long now.
“Players are not happy, literally not happy at all.”
However, Flames captain Limbikani Mzava dismissed the claims as untrue, saying everything was in order which is in contrast to Nyamilandu’s confirmation that some players are disgruntled.
FAM hired Marinica as technical director in November, but the association’s executive committee appointed him Flames interim coach, specifically for the Afcon finals following the team’s poor showing in 2022 World Cup qualifiers.
The Flames are in Group B alongside Senegal’s Lions of Teranga, Guinea’s Syli Nationale and Zimbabwe’s Warriors.
Malawi’s first match at the 24-team African Championship will be against Guinea on January10 before lining up against Zimbabwe four days later.
Their last group match will be against Senegal on January 18.
