The Maravi Post

LILONGWE--Ghanaian national team coach Kwesi Appiah hit out at angry Malawian supporters calling for the resignation of national team coach Kinnah Phiri after the Flames failed to qualify for the African Cup of Nations 2013.

Playing at home, Kinnah Phiri failed to overturn a 2-0 first leg deficit as Ghana beat Malawi 1-0 through midfielder Afriyea Acquah’s header.

Appiah, coach for the Black Stars, said calling for the coach’s resignation was unnecessary.

“I am 100% behind him, it’s a bad idea that the fans should be calling for his resignation. It’s not easy to build a new team, they just need to give him two to three years and Malawians will see some results.

“Malawi is a good team, a team which is developing and has very good players. They played well when they were away in Ghana and today they have played well only that they couldn’t score goals, I believe with time Malawi will be a better team,” said Appiah.

When asked by reporters at a post match interview, coach Phiri said he wasn’t going anywhere.

“Why do I have to resign? I have a contract with the national team, so I will try to help the team and build new team.

“We played well today against Ghana which is a strong opposition. Their team has world class players. From the games which we have played against them, we have learnt what we are capable of doing and we have seen that our players need time to develop a good team,” Phiri said.

Phiri’s contract expires in August 2014.
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© The Maravi Post 2012. Reproduction without acknowledgement prohibited

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