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Malawi searches for new football head coach

The Flames ditch their Romanian manager after struggling in African Cup of Nations qualifiers.
| Adam Edwards | Sports
Mario Marinica looks set to be given the boot, following Malawi’s humiliating 4-0 defeat to Egypt in late-March.
 
The country’s Football Association said it would not be renewing its contract with the Romanian, after Malawi struggled in its African Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifiers.
 
Malawi finished third in Group D with just three points, while Guinea and Egypt finished above Malawi with nine points.
 
The small nation finished narrowly ahead of Ethiopia, who also have three points but sit at the bottom of the group, having lost to Malawi in the first leg of the qualifying campaign.
 
Marinica made his frustrations with the Malawi supporters known after the Egypt defeat, telling reporters: ‘When we came out they cheered for Egypt – they didn’t cheer for Malawi.
 
‘They like the superstars of the moment and we don’t have that.’
 
The Romanian ex-player began working with the Flames as technical director in 2021 and led Malawi to the last-16 of the Africa Cup of Nations for the first time at last year's tournament in Cameroon, where they were beaten 2-1 by Morocco. 
 
He was promoted to head coach less than a year ago.
 
According to a leaked contract, Marinica accepted a salary of just $8,000 to replace Meke Mwase as manager of the national side.
 
Under Marinica, Malawi registered two wins in 11 matches across all the completions, scoring nine goals and conceding 14. 
 
Malawi won one game and lost three in the Afcon qualifiers, scoring two goals and conceding eight.


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