The former president of the Football Association of Malawi (Fam), Sameer Suleman, suggested in Parliament that the Malawi National Football Team should take a two-year break from international football to rebuild, after their recent poor performances. Suleman proposed that the money that goes to the national team should be invested in football academies to develop a stronger team. However, Fam President Walter Nyamilandu disagreed with the suggestion, saying that taking a break would be counterproductive and regressive, and that the team needs to keep learning and perfecting their skills. Sports analyst George Kaudza Masina also disagreed with Suleman's proposal, stating that it would be retrogressive and unnecessary for the team to start from scratch. Meanwhile, during question time, another lawmaker asked why the government is allowing schools to operate without sports facilities, including football grounds.
Malawi's national football team, also known as the Flames, recently suffered a 3-0 loss to Egypt in a World Cup qualifying match, which prompted Suleman's proposal.
Malawi has a relatively poor record in international football, having never qualified for the FIFA World Cup or the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) knockout stages.
In recent years, the team has made some progress, qualifying for the 2022 AFCON tournament in Cameroon, which will be their third appearance in the competition.
However, the team's preparations for the tournament have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the recent withdrawal of their head coach, Meke Mwase, who resigned citing personal reasons.
In response to Suleman's proposal, Nyamilandu emphasized the importance of continuity in the team's development, citing the example of Cameroon, who went on a break from international football in the 2000s but struggled upon their return.
The sports ministry has also expressed support for the Flames, with Minister Mkandawire stating that the government is committed to improving sports infrastructure in the country, including football grounds in schools.