Ndawa, Chimodzi fall ill
Flames coach Young Chimodzi and team manager Franco Ndawa are still ill here at the Sun City in North West Province, South Africa, hence unable to discharge their duties.
Leader of delegation Pikawo Ngalamila yesterday confirmed that Ndawa was improving on an eye problem, but is now down with some skin rashes.
“I am not a doctor, but my opinion is that for the coach, it was hypertension. As you saw, he left before the penalties were taken on Monday, but after the win over South Africa, he is improving. He will visit the clinic today,” explained Ngalamila.
Chimodzi reportedly did not utter a word to the players about the Mozambique match and was reluctant to attend scheduled mandatory post-match media briefings.
Most football coaches are prone to heart diseases.
Since Monday, Chimodzi has been bed-ridden and was unable to take charge of the Flames when they beat South Africa 5-4 on post-match penalties in Cosafa Plate category semi-final on Wednesday night.
Earlier, Ndawa said he had an eye problem and had been to Sun City Clinic, located within the vast hill-top resort where teams are based, for treatment.
“My eye, as you can see, is swollen and I do not know why,” said on Sunday Ndawa who arrived here mid-May to attend pre-Cosafa tournament’s team manager training.
In Ndawa’s absence, James Sangala took care of the Flames’ logistics in his capacity as liason officer.
On Tuesday, goalkeeper trainer Phillip Nyasulu attended a pre-match meeting on Ndawa’s behalf at Sun City Hotel and Casino.
Flames deputy coach Jack Chamangwana took charge of the team on Wednesday and was impressed with the display in 5-4 post-match penalty defeat of South Africa.
“I feel good, not just because we won but the guys played well, we controlled the whole game and we gave something to our people in Malawi,” Chamangwana said after the game.
