Never forget players so easily

“Tamuoneni, akucheza ndi mzungu ngati zabwino. Akachoka apo apite kukalemba zomunyoza. [Look at him, he is chatting with the coach, yet after that he will write bad things about him]. I do not trust these people.”

I was the subject of the above gossip as Flames’ interim coach Tom Saintfiet greeted me. This was last Saturday outside Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre.

The gossiper only curtailed the conversation upon embarrassingly realising that my workmate overheard this.

In the gossiper’s wisdom, it was unthinkable chatting with the people I criticise such as Saintfiet. Sadly, this gossiper is a respected football coach.

I should have wasted this column’s space condemning him and cautioning Saintfiet of the gossipers descending on him.

But I choose to talk football. I have opted to remind Flames selectors never to hand out caps and forget players such as Sankhani Mkandawire and Emmanuel Zoya so easily.

While there are concerns about Flames’ depth, there are players FAM invested in but, after an injury or one-off dip in form, they were discarded for good.

In other industries, institutional memory is treasured.

For example, can the Flames afford to, after investing in Luka Milanzi, forget him when he is just across the Zambia borders playing for Zesco, on loan from TP Mazembe?

While the Flames are desperate for a big target-man resulting in the recalling of veteran Esau Kanyenda, does anyone remember that Sankhani Nyirenda has similar physical attributes and that he went through developmental stages?

Can someone assess the Mozambique-based Nyirenda if he is still a good forceful forward?

With two goals in four caps, doesn’t Henry Kabichi seem like Fischer Kondowe’s right-wing heir? Are there still doubts on John Banda’s potential? Who is understudying Joseph Kamwendo when Tawonga Chimodzi is ignored?

Victor Nyirenda was being groomed to replace the likes of Russell Mwafulirwa, should that investment go down the drain?

Jacob Ngwira understudied Hellings Mwakasungula in Flames’ defensive midfield, does anyone realise that he has rare physical attributes?

Why not groom Swadick Sanudi as Flames goalkeeper trainer?

Meke Mwase was a loyal Flames captain, what message do we send to young players when we dump him?

Will the Fukizi brothers Crispin and Clifford, Alfred Manyozo Jnr, Tsanzo Dalio ever be tested? Does anyone realise Kamuzu Barracks’ Diof Simaone is a gem?