Malawi, Zambia only Cosafa survivors
Despite massive disappointment back home, the Flames and Zambia’s Chipolopolo are the only survivors in the 2014 World Cup African qualifiers out of 13 Cosafa teams.
South Africa and Lesotho were the latest Cosafa casualties, exiting the qualifiers after 2-1 and 2-0 losses to Ethiopia and Ghana respectively. Ghana displaced Zambia as group D leaders by a point after the Chipolopolo’s earlier 1-1 draw against Sudan.
But South Africa could be handed a lifeline if Fifa finds Ethiopia guilty of fielding an ineligible player during their match against Botswana.
Zambia and Malawi are still in the qualifiers by the skin of their teeth with the Flames facing a must-win encounter in September in Nigeria to progress.
Egypt, Ethiopia, Ivory Coast, Tunisia and Algeria have all reached the final qualifying round after eliminating Mozambique, Bafana Bafana, Tanzania, Equatorial Guinea and Mali respectively.
Poor infrastructure, lack of elaborate youth football policies and limited exposure are believed to be weighing down the Cosafa game, according to Kamuzu Academy physical education teacher Mike Banda.
“A few years ago, we thought Botswana was on the right track, but now they have gone a step backwards. Angola should have been ably competing with the West Africans as they have the resources, structures and physique, but it is not happening,” said the former Silver Strikers and Admarc Tigers striker.
The Cosafa teams’ poor representation in major events should be food for thought for the region, noted FAM chief executive officer Suzgo Nyirenda on Monday.
Cosafa chief operations officer Sue Destombes refused to comment on the matter on Monday.
“We need to have Cosafa Cup regularly to expose more players as we have been using the same players. There is also need for Under-17 and Under-20 Cosafa tournaments. For Malawi, we can take solace in the fact that even teams ranked ahead of us are struggling, but we are able to push Nigeria all the way,” Nyirenda explained.
For the Flames, with meagre resources, to get this far is some achievement, noted Mzuzu football administrator Julius Mithi. And ex-Mighty Wanderers official Jimmy Fombe seemed to agree.
“I hope we will improve from what we have achieved so far and keep endurance and guard our games to the last minutes of the matches. We tend to get excited and celebrate before the match and the unnecessary catches up with us,” Fombe explained.
Meanwhile, Fifa has announced that the draw for the 2014 World Cup African qualifying round involving 10 group winners from round two, will be made on September 16 in Cairo. The five top ranked teams, based on the world rankings of September 12, will be seeded.
