Football Association of Malawi (FAM) has made a U-turn on the appointment of a foreign coach, according to a statement released by the Football Association of Malawi (FAM).

FAM, who had been linked with the ex Warriors gaffer, Callisto Pasuwa, stated that the association would no longer appoint an expatriate coach due to funding challenges.

Malawi has also pulled from African Nations Championships (CHAN) 2018 qualifiers and the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers due to lack of funding.

Malawi had made Pasuwa their main target to take over the highest coaching job in the country after the latter’s contract with Zimbabwe national soccer team was not renewed at the end of February.

“The Football Association of Malawi (FAM) would like to inform the general public and all its stakeholders that at its executive committee meeting held in Lilongwe on 11th March 2017, the association, among other things, considered the recruitment of the Malawi national senior football team coach, and funding for the Malawi national football team engagements.

“As you may recall, FAM having earlier examined and identified the dire extent of the gaps and shortfalls in the team, resolved that an experienced and well qualified expatriate coach be engaged.

“Accordingly, a comprehensive proposal and justification was sent to the government as the financiers. It was expected that the expatriate coach was going to drill our current crop of players to international levels for better performance of the team.

“It was also expected that the expatriate coach was going to provide mentorship to our local coaches with a view of them taking over the team at the expiry of his contract. As we are all aware, the proposal has been declined on account of the current adverse economic situation that the country is facing.

“The meeting also discussed a number of engagements that had been planned for the team notably the Chan and Africa Cup of Nations competitions. During several rounds of consultations and discussions it was very clear that due the current economic problems, the government will not be able to provide funding for the team for its participation in the above two tournaments,’’ read part of the statement.

Pasuwa’s agent, Gibson Mahachi, confirmed the development and said his client would be taking a break.

“We are aware of the position which Malawi has taken. We are not in a hurry. Pasuwa is taking a break at the moment,” Mahachi is quoted by NewsDay.