being treated: Saintfiet
Flames interim coach Tom Saintfiet’s agent has revealed his client’s frustrations following a continued storm over his hiring and key players’ withdrawal from today’s match in Rwanda.
Mz Motaz was reacting to Saintfiet’s stormy start to his three-month tenure, worsened by Joseph Kamwendo, Robert Ng’ambi, Chiukepo Msowoya, Foster Namwela and Esau Kanyenda’s withdrawal from today’s strength-testing match.
“Tom came there with a vision to take Malawi to the World Cup finals. We had different offers from clubs and national teams, but he opted for Malawi looking at the calibre of players,” explained Motaz when he called from his Germany base.
“Do not judge him harshly. He turned around Namibia. Tom has a great calibre and attributes to take Malawi further with his acquired knowledge. He guided Ethiopia to the Nations Cup, but we pulled out because some obligations were not fulfilled. Just give him a chance Malawi. He overturned Yemen from losing by margins of 8-0 and 6-0 to losing 2-0 to teams such as Egypt.”
Motaz of Media Sports Group was reacting to the controversy surrounding Saintfiet’s demand for K3.4 million ($10 000) if the Flames beat Nigeria on September 7 and the subsequent withdrawal after a furore.
Fans and Flames captain Joseph Kamwendo wondered how Football Association of Malawi (FAM) could afford such a fee when players’ demand for a game bonus hike from the current K30 000 or $85 fell on deaf ears.
“He is not getting anything because we have good intentions. He is frustrated with the withdrawal of some players when he is preparing for the World Cup qualifiers. How can a man with limited time perform?” said Motaz who also manages Kamwendo, Harry Nyirenda and Zicco Mkanda.
Last week, FAM president Walter Nyamilandu told the press that the Belgian voluntarily withdrew the $10 000 precondition due to negative publicity; further clarifying that he only spent four days at a hotel and is now putting up at a flat.
“The cosafa results are not what I expected, but I only had two days. I had to first analyse the players’ capability and teach them the tactics I will use for Nigeria. You cannot build a winning team in two days. Even Sir Alex Ferguson needed six years to start winning,” he said.
