Ngalande comes to Flames rescue

Lanky forward Robin Ngalande last evening turned into a saviour for the Flames when he stepped off the bench to strike the consolation goal that proved vital at Idriss Mahamat Ouya Stadium in Nd’jamena.

The goal ensured the Flames qualification into the final preliminary round of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations in which they will face winners between Benin and Sao Tome who are meeting today.

The South Africa-based forward was thrown into service at the start of the second-half for off-form Joseph Kamwendo as the Flames trailed 0-3.

As the soccer fans, who followed the proceedings as it unfolded on TVM, oozed anxiety, Ngalande struck the priceless goal and relief was the prevalent emotion.

The beauty of it all lay in the creation. He got the ball on the right, gave it a deft touch with his right foot then he dinked to his left and, in a blink of an eye, swept the ball home-it was all simple and the Flames were back in the game.

The Flames technical fragilities were once again cruelly exposed as they nearly disappointed a nation that had invested so much trust in them and, crucially, on a day when the country’s new President Professor Peter Mutharika and his deputy Saulos Chilima, were sworn in.

Not that the hosts, playing before an estimated 30 000 fans, did anything extraordinary on the pitch, but that the Flames were horrible in defence especially in central defence where Foster Namwela and John Lanjesi failed to lead each other well.

There was also lack of coordination in midfield where Kamwendo, Phillip Masiye, Chimango Kayira and John Banda were reduced to chasing their own shadows.

Chad were two goals up in under 20 minutes through captain Rodrique Ninga and Kasmir in 15th and 17th minutes. Ninga scored the third in the 32nd minute.

A victory for the Flames, but plenty of food for thought for coach Young Chimodzi, his deputy Jack Chamangwana and their charges.