Kenya coach cautions Ng’onamo

Kenya’s Harambee Stars coach Adel Amrouche has cautioned his Flames counterpart Eddington Ng’onamo against tinkering much on ‘old’ players, arguing that they are not the team’s future.

On his free will, Amrouche said this after Kenya held Malawi 2-2 at Kamuzu Stadium to compromise heavily Malawi’s qualification to the two-legged final qualifying round of the 2014 World Cup from Group F.

“You must support this youthful team. You must change the old players because the future is not in them,” Amrouche said in a post-match interview.

His remarks follow Ng’onamo’s recall of almost all ‘old’ players. After seemingly focusing on ‘new’ players, Ng’onamo has eventually reverted to the oldguard which formed the nucleus of his predecessor Kinnah Phiri’s set up.

Ng’onamo could not be reached for comment, but his assistant Patrick Mabedi said Amrouche’s remarks were right despite being said at a wrong time.

Football expert Felix Sapao seemed to agree with Amrouche, calling for genuine rebuilding eyeing the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations while retaining only three or four veterans.

“It is a pity that we did not register for the 2013 Chan, because that tournament would have exposed our local talent to foreign clubs. We need experienced players such as James Sangala, Robert Ng’ambi and Joseph Kamwendo with a mix of youth for the future. Gabadinho Mhango, Limbikani Mzava and Robin Ngalande are the future but the likes of Fischer Kondowe should rest,” said Sapao.

Before Ng’onamo took over, Kondowe, who seemed to be back at his best in recent games, challenged that the current youthful players are not any better than the veterans.

Flames fan Jacqueline Bizaliele on Thursday attributed the national team struggles to lack of motivation and inspiration.

Flames have seven points and travel to Nigeria in September for a final decisive match against the Super Eagles who lead the group on nine points.