Fam stands firm on Kamwendo’s exclusion

Football Association of Malawi (FAM) has said its hands are tied on Flames captain Joseph ‘Shakira’ Kamwendo’s exclusion from the squad that will face Nigeria in a swim-or-sink 2014 World Cup qualifier next month.

FAM president Walter Nyamilandu was reacting to an outcry against the decision to drop the skipper from the squad that will face the Super Eagles in the cauldron of Calabar on September 6.

Among others, former Flames on-field leader Peter Mponda, dropped goalkeeper Simplex Nthala, Mighty Wanderers board of trustees’ vice-chairperson James Chuma and general secretary David Kanyenda at the weekend faulted Kamwendo’s exclusion and led the clamour to seek FAM’s intervention on the matter.

But Nyamilandu on Sunday said they would not want to interfere with FAM technical subcommittee’s decisions on squad selection.

“We do not want to interfere with squad selection. The technical committee made that call-up and our role is to give them the necessary support.

“They are accountable for the outcome and so they call the shots.

“If we intervene, then we are not providing a conducive [working] environment to the technical committee that includes the coach,” said the FAM president.

However, Mponda argued that the Nigeria showdown needs experienced players such as Kamwendo who can stand the heat when the temperature rises.

“I do not understand when the coach insinuates that Kamwendo does not fit in his tactical plans for Nigeria unless, of course, if there are other reasons.

“This is an important match that requires players of Joseph’s calibre. Apart from his sublime talents, Kamwendo is a leader and a fighter,” said Mponda.

The Flames skipper also said he suspects that Kamwendo was dropped because he was critical on issues related to national team players.

“The way I look at it is that the captain has been dropped because of his plain-spoken attitude since authorities don’t like being told the truth.

“The other factor could be because of the controversy surrounding his unavailability for the Rwanda friendly, but then the decision is a very big mistake and in the end, they will regret. The authorities might think they are punishing Shakira, but in the long run, it is the nation that will suffer the consequences,” said Mponda.

Chuma had no kind words for Saintfiet, saying he is plotting Flames downfall.

“I think it is time sports-loving Malawians rose up to speak out against such unfortunate and costly decisions. His decision has raised more questions than answers.

“You cannot drop a player of Joseph’s calibre without a convincing reason. This coach will lead us nowhere,” said Chuma.

Kanyenda said he is suspicious of the coach’s decision.

“The decision to drop Kamwendo lends credence to the theory that Saintfiet is a Nigerian plant.

“We are annoyed thoroughly because we need our best players for this match,” said Kanyenda.

Kamwendo refused to comment on the decision to drop him.

“If the coach thinks I cannot fit in his plans, then that’s OK. All I can say is that I wish the guys all the best in Nigeria,” he said from Mozambique.

However, Saintfiet insisted that while Kamwendo might be a good player, he left him out purely on tactical grounds.

“People can say whatever they want to say, but there are times when good players are not selected and there are others who are selected, it happens in Spain, it happens elsewhere.

“I would like to focus on the 23 players that have been selected. I had contact with Joseph and he understood my position,” said Saintfiet.

Former Flames midfield star Peterkins ‘Beirut’ Kayira said it is not strange to drop star players.

“Star players are sometimes dropped depending on a number of factors such as form and discipline.

“However, Joseph is an influential and dependable player and the coach, or indeed, the technical committee, needed to come out clearly on the reasons behind the move and tell us the alternatives,” said Kayira.