Mario Marinică

November 2021 saw Marinica appointed as Technical Director of the Football Association of Malawi on a three-year contract.[31] Speaking at the appointment, Football Association of Malawi President Walter Nyamilandu commented "He is here to develop Malawi football and to correct some shortfalls that are there. As an association, we want to play football the right way. We need to produce quality coaches who will take Malawian football to another level. There has always been a gap especially when playing international games so Mario is here to bridge the gap. We don't want shortcuts and we want to be better organized as he champions the agenda of football development. I want to live behind a football philosophy that will suit our nation. We need to embrace change. With him, I expect technical issues to be the number one priority by paying more attention to grassroots football and youth football before bringing everything together for the betterment of our game. Mario comes into this position with lots of experience and is not new in this environment. He has worked in Africa and his profile on the continent is well documented," said Nyamilandu.[32]

Marinica said it's a huge challenge working for a nation with lots of potential and is very optimistic that within three years, he will achieve what he has been employed for. "Huge challenge to have a small nation with huge talent. My first task is to build structures, scouting network and to receive help and support from all relevant stakeholders to develop the game starting with grassroots football because that's the basis of football.It won't be easy because every job has a challenge and I am ready for it. I have once worked with a few Malawian players notably Robert Ng'ambi at Black Leopards and from the onset, you could tell that we have talent in Malawi. I want to help in nurturing the talent not only for the national team but as Ambassadors ready for international market," he said.[32]

Ahead of their first Group B game against Guinea, Malawi were hit hard by positive Covid tests in the camp. On 9 January, six players and three technical staff including Marinica tested positive. In addition, key players Mark Fodya and Charles Petro had remained in Saudi Arabia having tested positive there.[38]

Due to the Covid outbreak, Malawi were only able to name a matchday squad of 15 for the match against Guinea, with just two outfield players on the bench. Meck Mwase lead the team from the bench with Marinica in isolation. Issiaga Sylla scored the only goal to help Guinea to a narrow 1–0 victory. The Syli National had to dig deep against the brilliant Flames who were competitive throughout the contest at the Stade de Kouekong in Baffousam.[39] Depleted Malawi were left to rue missed opportunities - they had the lion's share of the chances and found Guinea goalkeeper Aly Keita in inspired form.

On 10 January, FAM announced that it had recalled the five players that were on the reserve list to join the team in Cameroon with Gerald Phiri Jr. convinced to rescind his retirement. Initially CAF had indicated that only 23 players in the final squad will be eligible to take part in the competition while the other extra five, that were registered at the discretion of participating teams, will be on reserve and would only be replaced in case of serious injury. CAF specified that the injury had to be certified through MRI Scan by the CAF Medical Committee and COVID-19 was not regarded as a serious injury. With increased cases of COVID-19 being experienced across the participating teams, the rule was relaxed.[40]

As per the CAF 2021 AFCON pre-match protocols the Flames players and officials underwent a COVID-19 PCR test, 48 hours before the team's second group B match against Zimbabwe. All the 28 players tested negative, though unfortunately Mario Marinica continued to test positive and remained in isolation for the fixture. Once again first assistant coach, Meck Mwase lead from the bench.[41] In an open and entertaining game, Zimbabwe went ahead through a superb header from Ishmael Wadi but Gabadinho Mhango equalised five minutes later with a controlled half-volley. Mhango then added his second after 58 minutes as he took advantage of some hesitant defending and supplied a poacher's finish. Malawi beat Zimbabwe 2–1 to boost their hopes of a first-ever appearance in the last 16 at the Africa Cup of Nations [42]

The team received a boost ahead of their final group B game against Senegal, with all players and coaching staff including Marinica testing COVID negative.[43] He made three changes to the side that defeated Zimbabwe a few days prior, with Charles Thomu making his full debut in goal in place of Ernest Kakhobwe who was ill with malaria, Micium Mhone returned for Richard Mbulu whilst Lawrence Chaziya replaced Limbikani Mzava who sustained a hamstring injury during the Zimbabwe game.[44] Marinica chose to start with four attacking players against a full strength Senegal side featuring stars Sadio Mane, Edouard Mendy, Idrissa Gueye and Kalidou Koulibaly who struggled to convince in a goalless draw. Malawi just needed a goal to win the game and the group, and were initially awarded a penalty in the 75th minute, which was subsequently overturned by VAR. Debutant goalie Charles Thomu won the Man of the Match award for some sharp saves. [45] BBC Sport Africa's Salim Masoud Said wrote "Mario Marinica only had a few weeks to prepare his Malawi team. Based on their first half you may think Aliou Cisse is the one who has had weeks, not years, to prepare Senegal."[46] The result was sufficient for Malawi to reach the last 16 for the first time, where they would face Group C winners Morocco on 25 January in Yaounde.

Morocco came into the game ranked 28th in the world, 101 places above the Flames, and unbeaten in 30 matches, including 21 clean sheets.[47][48] Marinica named an unchanged starting line-up against a Morocco side replete with European-based players. Malawi took a shock lead thanks to a 7th minute wonderstrike from Gabadinho Mhango. The Guardian described the goal thus "A goal for the ages! Chirwa plays a ball down the left channel for Mhango, who has his back to goal, 30 to 35 yards out. He turns infield, spots the keeper off his line, and whips a huge dipping curler into the top right from silly distance! Bono wasn't even too far out; he was on the edge of his six-yard box when he was beaten. Unstoppable! Unstoppable from 35 yards!" [49] With two minutes of added time to the break Youssef En-Nesyri equalised when he nodded in a well taken Sofiane Boufal corner kick. Malawi cushioned a lot of pressure as the Atlas Lions dominated most of the play in the first half with seven shots on target against Malawi's one. After a lot of pressure on the Malawian defending line, Morocco scored to make it 2-1 after 70 minutes. Achraf Hakimi beautifully curled in a free kick that beat goalkeeper Charles Thomu, prompting Kylian Mbappé to post on Twitter "Achraf Hakimi, Best RB in the World" about his Paris Saint-Germain teammate.[50] In the post match press conference, Vahid Halilhodzic commented "It was not an easy game. When we conceded the goal, it made my team react and it was very complex. In the second half we didn't lose concentration and managed to organize ourselves and take control of the game". Mario Marinica commented "We worked and were very close. Personally, I tried to exploit the opportunities I had. We played against a very good team. However, I am proud of the performance of my players. Gabadinho is a good player and, as you saw, each player gave his best. I believe Gaba has the potential to play at the highest level. Our game plan happened as we wanted, but I have to admit that we played against a fantastic opponent".[51]

In summary, Peter Kanjere writing in the New Frame [52] wrote "From being underwhelming underdogs going into the tournament to reaching the round of 16, the Flames have shown discipline, flair and dedication, to the utter delight of their fans. Reaching the last 16 is a remarkable achievement for the Flames considering that they are a modest squad with no big-name players. The squad were drawn mainly from the Malawian domestic league as well as the two tiers of top-flight football in South Africa. Marinica hit the ground running and wasted no time in diagnosing the flaws of the Flames and Malawian football in general." In his report, Marinica observed that "the players’ recruitment system is done ... haphazardly and very sentimentally. Physically, most players are short in key positions such as central defence and goalkeeping." Marinica then set about on his own scouting mission, which resulted in little-known players such as Civil Sporting Club defender Lawrence Chaziya, Silver Strikers midfielder Zebron Kalima and goalkeeper Charles Thomu getting call-ups. The Romanian also discarded the Flames’ short-pass game and asked his charges to adopt a more direct, fast-attacking football. In addition, he dismantled the starting 11 that had clinched the Afcon berth. The inexperienced players brought a positive work ethic and healthy competition in the squad. It became clear that there were no longer invincibles in the team, who displayed remarkable defensive discipline to hold Senegal. Back home, Malawians’ support of the Flames, ranked 129th in the world, grew with each game. Fans filled the streets on 14 January after the 2–1 win over Zimbabwe chanting “Siine koma Gabadinho”, telling those who cared to listen that they cannot be faulted for the overnight celebrations because it was Mhango and his two goals that caused it. The Afcon has helped ignite a spark in Gabadinho Mhango, who has struggled at his club Orlando Pirates but shone in the Afcon for the Flames. “It is history in the making,” Mhango said. “My ambition is to see Malawian players, including myself, playing overseas. At the end of the tournament, I can foresee four or five players playing in Europe. I have been telling my teammates that in every game we have to show a fighting spirit, whether we win or lose, because the whole world is watching. We need to prove that we have talent in Malawi."[53]

On 1 April 2023, a statement released by the Football Association of Malawi announced that, "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." It also revealed that the 58-year-old will be "on scheduled annual leave" up until that date and thanked him for "bringing great joy and pride" to Malawi for their historic Afcon run in Cameroon.[54]