Following the departure of Ronny Van Geneugden, as Malawi national football team head coach, a renowned soccer analyst, Higger Mkandawire, has backed the decision by Football Association Malawi (FAM) to hire a local coach to take charge of the team.

The sentiment comes after FAM Executive Committee meeting held on April 6, appointed Meke Mwase to take charge of the team until a permanent replacement is made.

Mkandawire said time has come for the nation to have trust in local coaches.

“We should start believing in our own managers by providing them with all the necessary support and then we will see them bringing desired results rather than investing more in expatriate coaches who have so far failed the nation,” said Mkandawire.

He further said Mwase has all the capabilities as he is well experienced in his coaching career.

On April 6, FAM Executive Committee resolved to adopt the recommendation of the technical committee not to renew the contract of RVG based on poor results of the Malawi National Team.

In the interim, the executive committee appointed Meke Mwase who was coach of the Malawi under 23 to take charge of the senior team until a permanent replacement is made and is being assisted by Lovemore Fazili with Bob Mpinganjira as a fitness trainer.

Swadick Sanudi and James Sangala will continue as goal keeper trainer and team manager respectively.

The immediate assignment of this technical panel is the 2020 CHAN qualifiers against Eswanthini in two weeks’ time.