Malawi has announced that the contract of the country’s football coach, Mario Marinica will not be extended, and they are looking for a new head coach. At the 2018 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon, the Romanian, who originally took over as technical director in November 2021, assisted in leading The Flames to their first-ever appearance in the round of 16, where they were defeated 2-1 by Morocco.
However, after losing to Egypt 4-0 in Lilongwe during the qualifying matches last week, Malawi has little chance of competing in the Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast. After that match, Marinica also criticised Malawi’s supporters, saying they were more focused on rooting for Egypt’s superstars than the local team’s players.
According to a statement from the Football Association of Malawi, “by mutual consent, it has been agreed with Mr Mario Marinica not to enter into negotiations for renewal of his contract when it expires on 30 April 2023.”
The 58-year-old was thanked for bringing great joy and pride to Malawi for their historic AFCON run in Cameroon and informed that he will be on scheduled annual leave up until the end of his contract by month end.