No friendly for Flames on Fifa date
It is now official. The Flames will not play an international friendly match on February 6, which is a Fifa calendar date, in preparation for the forthcoming 2014 World Cup qualifier against Namibia’s Brave Warriors.
The development comes in the wake of concerns raised by the fired coaching panel that one of the contributing factors to the team’s poor results was inadequate preparations.
The Flames were scheduled to face Zimbabwe’s Warriors next Wednesday, but the Zimbabwe Football Association (Zifa) withdrew from the friendly due to the uncertainty that surrounds the Flames coaching panel.
FAM chief executive officer, Suzgo Nyirenda, on Tuesday confirmed that the Flames have missed out on the preparatory.
“In view of the ongoing issue of the coaching panel, the possibility of having an international friendly next week is definitely out,” said Nyirenda.
But he said they will still try to arrange another friendly later this month.
“We are hoping that the issue of the coaching panel will be finalised soon to allow us name an interim coach, then arrange another friendly game.
“Let us see what is going to happen after the ongoing process [of terminating the coaches contract]. But the bottom line is that we need to prepare,” said Nyirenda.
He also disclosed that FAM already identified an interim coach to take charge of the Flames and they are just waiting to unveil him.
Apparently, Namibia played a build-up match against Morocco’s Atlas Lions recently, which the Namibians lost 2-1.
Namibia’s coach, Bernard Kaanjuka, said he is hopeful that his side can improve following their satisfying performance against Morocco.
He said Namibia are on the right course of self discovery and the future looks good.
“We came here to play a good tactical team and, yes, they are strong and fast and gave us a good game indeed.
“I wanted my players to play this and now facing Malawi on March 23 in a World Cup qualifier, we can work on some mistakes that cost us the game against Morocco such as concentration at vital moments and fitness of the team,” Kaanjuka was quoted as saying.
Morocco coach Rashid Taoussi also felt the Brave Warriors have a great future.
