When promotion is demotion

“When were the changes made? I know nothing about it. So, what will I be? Let me find out, then I will probably get back to you later,” was Eddingtone Ng’onamo’s reply to The Nation on November 20 2013.

Ng’onamo said this after Big Bullets general secretary Higger Mkandawire told radio stations that assistant coach Gerald Phiri Senior was elevated to head coach and Ng’onamo was made technical adviser, “which is a more senior position than head coach.”

The contradictory statements were studded with politics and diplomacy at their best, confirming what Jay J Coackley in his book Sport in Society; Issues and Controversies, wrote: “Sports and sport organisations are political, since they have to do with exercise of power.”

Imagine the whole Malawi being made to believe that Ng’onamo was promoted, when he was unaware of the good news let alone seem excited. This seemed more of the man being pushed from the technical bench up to the terraces.

After all, there is no suggestion that Ng’onamo has added responsibilities at Bullets. Were there no sound technical structures to warrant such a position, which usually involves grooming players and coaches in reserve sides, advising all coaches and drawing up recruitment and scouting programmes.

There are also doubts whether Ng’onamo will be earning a fatter cheque after the supposed ‘promotion.” For example, Jack Chamangwana was once also removed as coach at a club in Tanzania and he was in charge of youth coaches and players.

Additionally, dysfunctional Malawi football structures render technical adviser or technical director positions obsolete. Even after being ‘hired’ at Silver Strikers, general secretary Mike Tembo says “Young Chimodzi only comes occasionally” at Silver Stadium.”

At the end of the day, it thus might be difficult ascertaining who is saying the truth or who is being economical with the truth between Mkandawire and Ng’onamo as domestic coaches are sometimes hired by word of mouth on gentleman’s agreement. Often times, coaches also get the bullet in similar manner.

It was a confirmation that in politics, as in football, there are no permanent friends or enemies. In football, the mantra ‘you are as good as your last game’ still dictates decisions.

From winning the Presidential Cup then missing out on the TNM Super League by a whisker of an inferior goal difference, thereby being counted by eventual winners last season, Bullets, save for Luso TV trophy, now find themselves staring at a possible empty-ended finish to the season.

A damaging 3-1 home defeat by league table-topping Red Lions on November 16 proved the last straw for Ng’onamo who, alongside Phiri, had endured baseless suspicions that they were Mighty Wanderers sympathisers.

It was once again a loss that reflected tactical shortcomings. It was clear that Bullets midfield lacked positional discipline to provide cover to a porous three-man defence that was, despite playing high up the pitch, being breached by every counter-attack and long chipped ball.

“We were not playing with three defenders. May be people did not notice,” Phiri suggested after the 3-1 loss.

A 4-0 opening drubbing by Silver last season had Bullets coaches reacting by rejigging the formation into what seems like 3-4-3 to suit the more attacking players in the team.

Yes, Bullets have more attack minded players, but there are too few ball winners, there is lack of organisational discipline and Owen Chaima just cannot command his box, every game he makes costly elementary errors.

As of Saturday, Bullets, on 36 points, four behind leaders Red Lions, Phiri declared: “We have 99 percent chances of winning the league title”.

The gamble of Phiri’s promotion could be a masterstroke or backfire. Over and above that, the Bullets have paid the price for lacking depth in defence and upfront. But then in Malawi the buck stops at a coach. It stopped at Felix Fosiko, Thom Mkolongo, Billy Phambala and now Ng’onamo.