Malawi coaches split on Afcon favourites
Some Super League coaches in Malawi are split on the championship favourites for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations tournament which starts in South Africa on Saturday.
Zambia’s Chipolopolo go into this tournament as defending champions, but few of the six Super League coaches fancied Zambia retaining the title. Most coaches are favouring Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire.
Veteran Escom United mentor Alex Masanjala on Monday preferred to wait until the quarter-finals before making his choice. Silver Strikers assistant coach Itai Nundwe opted for Ghana’s Black Stars basing on their strength in depth.
Big Bullets deputy coach Gerald Phiri Senior and Mafco mentor Stereo Gondwe seemed to agree on Black Stars.
Ghana qualified after dismissing the Flames 3-0 on aggregate in October.
“From the 2010 Nations Cup, World Cup to the last edition of the Nations Cup, Ghana have been consistent with their squad and system of play. I do not fancy Zambia riding their luck again,” said Gondwe.
Phiri had Ghana as his second choice while putting his money on the 2012 Nations Cup finalists Cote d’Ivoire with their all-star ensemble led by Didier Drogba.
Epac FC coach Abbas Makawa also favours Cote d’Ivoire.
“Cote d’Ivoire would be desperate to win this and do justice to their golden generation of players. They would surely be motivated by the yearning to win a title before they call it time,” Phiri argued. The Elephants have big-name players, but analysts fault their weak team spirit.
Moyale Barracks trainer Temwa Msuku threw his weight behind the hosts Bafana Bafana, who have managed three wins, including beating Malawi 3-1 while drawing 0-0 with Algeria on Saturday. The Gordon Igesund side (South Africa) recently lost to Norway and Zambia by 1-0 margins.
