Stop sulking, relocate to Civo

Psychologists will always tell you never to stress over things that cannot be changed, but embrace the reality, no matter how harsh, live positively and move on.

I am thus rather irritated that, during the week, football talk has been about how smaller and bumpy Civo Stadium pitch could on October 13, undermine the Flames’ prospect of dimming Ghana’s Black Stars.

I view this as a rather misplaced obsession that would not change anything.

After all, it is not a matter of taste that FAM chose to have the match shifted from Kamuzu Stadium to Civo. It is a matter beyond FAM’s circumstances.

Saying the obvious that the Flames were used to Kamuzu Stadium astro-turf would not change anything.

The Flames must focus on how they will score three goals and sail through the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations.

In fact, I suggest that the Flames should relocate to train at Civo between now and October 13.

Elsewhere, national teams do not spend over five days preparing for a game, but experience has shown that the Flames stay longer in camp. This should be an advantage.

After all, none of the 34 players in the provisional squad released on Thursday can claim they are not acquainted to the harsh conditions of the Civo pitch.

And there are 19 days before facing Ghana in the dreaded encounter.

If there be debate to drain our energy at all, then it should be on how the Flames’ cold striking force will score three straight goals against the Black Stars.

I call it dreaming in colour to, in the first place, think that the Flames can beat Ghana, let alone by such a flattering margin. But then I realise, football has never been short of surprises. In 2005, Liverpool needed 45 minutes to wipe out AC Milan’s three-goal cushion and eventually win the European Champions League.

Football has always proved that it is not in black and white.

By the way, after all is said about the disadvantages of playing at Civo, my little statistics show that the Flames have this decade been stubborn at this stadium.

If my memory serves me right, Malawi has always managed a draw at this Lilongwe arena.

In 2001, Malawi must have beaten a stronger Fabrice Akwa-led Angola 1-0. Peter Mgangira’s free-kick produced the lone goal by Russell Mwafulirwa.

Then around 2003, Malawi also ‘huffed’ and ‘puffed’ to a 0-0 draw with Ethiopia.

In 2008, Englishman Stephen Constantine had in eight winless games of six straight defeats, never known how it felt to win with the Flames until he took his troops to Civo. Malawi beat Mozambique 2-1 in an African Nations Championship (Chan) match.

Malawi junior national teams have also always managed good results at Civo.

Talk about the Under-23 that beat South Africa in 2011. And a fortnight ago, Malawi Under-17 came from behind to defeat Botswana.

The realistic result I expect from the Flames is a draw. A win, let alone one that would see Malawi qualify to the Nations Cup finals, would be a bonus.

–Feedback: peterkanjere@yahoo.com