National Sports

Flames coach to fire some players

Saintfiet: We gave goals the easier way
Saintfiet: We gave goals the easier way

Flames caretaker coach Tom Saintfiet has said some players do not deserve to be in the national team and will be axed as he turns his focus to the 2014 World Cup qualifier against Nigeria’s Super Eagles.

This is in contrast to what the Belgian told the media during a recent press briefing that the Flames are a good side capable of causing an upset against the reigning African champions in Abuja on September 6.

Saintfiet said he will be forced to ring some changes after being let down by the performance of some players at the Cosafa Cup in Zambia, where the Flames even failed to make the grade in the losers’ plate phase.

Although he could not be drawn to name the players who face the chop, Saintfiet expressed disappointment with the performance of goalkeeper Simplex Nthala and the defence.

“I am a very disappointed and angry coach at the moment. What I noticed was that my goalkeeper could not catch the ball when he was supposed to.

“This will have consequences on some players. We will shift some players. We will only select players that can give out their maximum. I do not want to mention names, but if you saw the game [against Angola], you will notice that there was lack of commitment, especially the defence and goalkeeping,” Saintfiet was quoted as saying on MBC.

He said it was disappointing that the Flames created many chances, but failed to make them count.

“We had 15 chances against Angola’s six, but they converted three and we only scored two. We have to learn to be professional.

“We gave goals the easier way. [Otherwise], I am happy that we played in the Cosafa tournament, I learnt a lot,” he said.

Asked on preparations for Nigeria, Saintfiet said: “I am planning to play two matches in August. I will talk to the players on the negatives and see how we can proceed,” he said.

He singled out winger Micium Mhone as having been outstanding in the 3-2 loss to Angola.

“Micium played very well like Arjen Robin, he created two goals,” he said.

FAM president Walter Nyamilandu has said players need to take responsibility of the Flames sterile performances.

“We have tried all sorts of coaches, but the players have to take responsibility as well and something drastic has to be done.

“The players that we have are not of world-class standards. They are lacking the cutting edge and we need top-class players if we are to beat Nigeria,” said Nyamilandu.

On calls from some quarters for FAM leadership to take the blame and consider stepping down honourably, Nyamilandu said: “We did all we could, we arranged an international friendly match on July 6 and we gave them as much support as we could.”

Former Under-23 international Chiza Nyirongo said the problem lies in the players.

“I think very few deserve to be in the team. Otherwise, they played without any commitment,” he said.

Former Flames defender Ojukwu Malunga said it will take something special for the Flames to cause an upset in Nigeria.

The Flames have lost three successive games to Mozambique (1-0), Zimbabwe (3-1) on penalties and Angola (3-2).

Related Articles

4 Comments

  1. FAM we told you, its not about the coach but players, you are motivating the wrong ones. senior players refused to play penalties when playing with Zimbabwe, cant you read the signs. I will never understand this thing called FAM

  2. AMalawi anzanga, only if we stop poiticizing issues of national importance shall our beloved country develop & improve in all sectors of life.

    Kinnah & his collegues were performing very well better than some of these so called foreign coaches.
    Vuto lakula ife a Malawi ndi SANJE!

    Instead of motivating players, we are motivating a wrong person- coach!
    Abale, tatani kodi?

    NJALA, NTHENDA, SANJE! amalemba nyimbo ya fuko lathu sananame; maka pa SANJEPA, eishhhh, TANYANYA!

  3. Kinna, Eddie, draws and wins. Now Mzungu 3 successive losses. Now with only a month to go before facing Nigeria apwasule team. Zoona zimenezo? Nyamilandu please……………sizakumuzi kwanu izi.

Back to top button