RVG dares rookies

Flames coach Ronny van Geneugden (RVG) has challenged rookie players to go into this afternoon’s friendly match against Uganda’s Cranes to prove themselves.

RVG said being the last Fifa calendar date, the coaching panel will use it to try the game plan for the match against the Atlas Lions in their next 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.

“It’s a very big test for us [as technical panel] because three midfielders who have been key in the past four to five games [Chikoti Chirwa, Robert Ng’ambi and Gerald Phiri Jnr] are available.

“So, it’s for the other players to knock on the door and say ‘we are ready to replace them’ in the starting line-up,” he said in a telephone interview from Kampala yesterday.

The Flames mentor also said he was not amused with the excuses given by Ng’ambi and Phiri, saying in essence they should have still turned up.

“It was surprising that all of a sudden they excused themselves, citing the situation at their club when it is a Fifa calendar week. So, I hope the other players will grab this chance with both hands; otherwise, we can only call players that are committed to national cause.”

RVG also expressed satisfaction with the players’ attitude ahead of today’s game.

“They have shown a lot of commitment and the atmosphere has been encouraging. They are fit and looking forward to the match,” he said.

The coach also said after a brief rest, Mozambique-based forward Chawanangwa Kawonga trained with the team on Sunday afternoon.

RVG further said he expects the Ugandans to give his side a stern test.

“They are quite a strong and physical team, but not  technically sound and they thrive on long balls. So, we can plan on Tuesday’s game from what we saw from their friendly match against Sao Tome and Principe [on Saturday],” he said.

Uganda—who qualified for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations after 39 years in the wilderness—are ranked 78th on Coca-Cola/Fifa World Rankings—45 places above the Flames.

The Cranes French coach Sebastien Desabre—who recorded his first victory in six matches against Sao Tome and Principe—told the Daily Monitor that he is still in the process of assessing players..

“We are trying out several combinations. After the first game you can’t make judgements. We shall look at more players against Malawi and see.

“We created a lot of chances, we can improve on the finishing,” he was quoted as saying.

From the 21 players that have travelled to Kampala, eight are foreign-based while five of them are uncapped.

The foreign-based players are goalkeeper Charles Swini, defender and captain Limbikani Mzava, midfielders Frank and John Banda, Dalitso Sailesi, strikers Robin Ngalande, Kawonga and Eichard Mbulu while the five uncapped players are Alfred Manyozo Jnr, Felix Zulu, Precious Sambani, Righteous Banda and Patrick Phiri. n