Flames tactically poor, says Dell

Flames technical consultant Andy Dell has questioned the Flames’ tactics in Saturday’s 2-1 loss to a hastily assembled Zimbabwe side in a 2017 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) Group L qualifier at the Kamuzu Stadium.

“There is a serious lack of tactical knowledge. There are lots of things that need to change in training and preparation if the team is to improve.

“My fear is that I may be judged based on what happened when, in actual fact, the coaches decided to do it their way. Basically, the coaches didn’t allow me to help them,” he explained.

However, coach Young Chimodzi insisted that the whole team did not turn up and it was difficult blaming the defeat on tactics alone.

Dell, who leaves today at the end of his month-long stint in which he was asked to analyse the happenings around the Flames, on Saturday evening said there was no need to change the Cosafa Plate Division winning squad.

“The coming in of the other players just made the team unsteady again at a time when the team had started developing. I didn’t think Harry Nyirenda came in with confidence. Physically, you are playing long balls and you are taking out your big striker [ZiccoMkanda]. The third change [introduction of Gerald Phiri] should have happened much earlier,” said the Reading Academy coach.

“After half time, we needed to get a goal and I think players were not told how Zimbabwe were playing and how they would likely score which is why all the pressure was put on them. For example, I have heard a lot of people blaming Lucky Malata, but he did what he was told— which was just kicking the ball. He wasn’t encouraged to play on the floor. For the goalkeeper [McDonald Harawa] yes, that was his fault.”

The Englishman will submit his report to FAM executive as mandated before heading back home. He insists he has a steady job back home and does not fancy handling the Flames.

Dell laid the coaching foundation for Surestream Academy of Blantyre.

FAM president Walter Nyamilandu said he would wait for Dell’s report before commenting on his stint with the national team.

“But it’s a painful loss. We should have won the game. We gave away three points. We need to do soulsearching. We are still in the competition and we have to get back to the drawing board,” Nyamilandu said after the game.