Time to move on?

When Flames coach Ernest Mtawali named his final squad for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations’ qualifier against Swaziland’s Sihlangu last weekend, leaving out about nine senior players, the key theme to take from his bold move was the foresighted consideration for transition.

The notable casualties were captain Joseph Kamwendo, Esau Kanyenda, Fischer Kondowe and AtusayeNyondo who have been part of the squad for quite sometime.

Although Mtawali insisted during the press conference that the door had not been shut for the experienced players, it was clear that he wants to go for fresh legs.

“It’s not that the door has been shut on them. In coming up with the final squad, there were a number of factors that were critically looked into such as game plan, frequency of game time and performance at their respective clubs.

“But they need to prove that they merit consideration through performance. A place in the national squad needs to be deserved through commitment, attitude and performance.

“[But] we also thought we needed to inject new blood in the team and give a chance to the youngsters that are coming through,” said Mtawali.

He sounded as though he was making an offer the players would refuse at their peril, adding: “It is up to the players themselves, young or old, to prove that they deserve to be part of the squad.”

The truth though is that with senior members of the Flames approaching their career “sunset”, or fully feeling the effects of it, it needed someone to start overseeing the delicate process of introducing a fresher, younger cast of characters.

Not all senior members have been phased out, South Africa-based enterprising midfielder Robert Ng’ambi and revitalised forward Chiukepo Msowoya are the surviving members from the squad which qualified for 2010 Africa Cup of Nations.

However, Kamwendo insisted that he will bounce back, saying: “I know I have been left out because I am not playing and not necessarily because I am finished and I will bounce back.”

But it seems the revolution did not end with just naming the squad as the Flames legend went on to say: “Even in the starting line-up, there are going to be a lot of surprises.”

Mtawali has also taken a bold move by including five uncapped players, namely goalkeeper Brightone Munthali, defender Wonder Jelemani, midfielder Yamikani Chester and strikers Chawanangwa Kawonga and Manase Chiyesa.

He has also included four players from the Under-20 squad that he coached and came within sniffing distance from qualifying for the 2015 Africa Youth Championship and these are Munthali, Stanely Sanudi (one cap), Isaac Kaliati (one cap) and Kawonga and insists he has no regrets for the move.

“With the tactical discipline that we [and assistant coach Nsanzurwimo Ramadhan] are imparting, we have confidence and belief in the squad that we have selected. It is a blend of experience and up-and-coming players.

“Sometimes you need to take tough decisions in this game and if it is worth it, so be it,” he said.

Times Group seasoned sports journalist Pilirani Kachinziri and renown soccer analyst Charles Nyirenda backed Mtawali’s bold move.

“It is a bold decision that has not happened for a long time. The decision has been long overdue.

“It is time tired legs paved the way for fresh ones. If we needed testimony that it was time to move on, then we have to compare and contrast on how the team performed at the 2015 Cosafa Cup and the 2017 opening Afcon qualifier against Zimbabwe. At the Cosafa tournament in South Africa, there were a number of upcoming players that shined and proved that they are ready for big stage.

“But in the game against Zimbabwe, some senior players were thrown in and they were a big disappointment. We should not live in denial. It is time to move on, but the crucial factor is that for now, we should not be result-oriented,” said Kachinziri.

On his part Nyirenda said: “Mtawali was chosen to be in charge of the national team and the choice of players is at his discretion.

“His philosophy is that he cannot continue with the same tools. He has taken the route which he believes can bring results.

“After all, he is not new is the system, he served under [Eddingtone] Ng’onamo and, therefore, his assessment has not come out of the blues, it has been after lengthy observation and from his assessment, he cannot get results with the same old tools. So, he needs to be given the support to fulfil his objectives,” said Nyirenda.