Malawi coach Kim Splidsboel has criticised some of the team's fans for their continued protests against the side.

The fans, who say that the side should contain more players from local teams in Malawi, have protested by cheering for the opposing side at the Flames' home matches.

But Splidsboel says this can only have a negative impact on the performance of the team.

"When the team its playing its not Total or Wanderers playing, it's the Malawi national team," he said.

The controvery has arisen because of the fierce rivalry between Total Big Bullets and Mighty Telecom Wanderers.

Many Wanderers fans say that Splidsboel's teams include too many players from the Bullets.

But the coach defended his selection, saying that Total Big Bullets dominated simply because they had better players.

"They have been league champions for four consecutive years and that tells you how good their players are," he said.

During last week's home friendly against Tanzania, nearly half of the 20,000 strong crowd cheered for the opposing side.