Zambia Coach hails Kinnah

Zambia’s coach Herve Renard has hailed Flames Kinnah Phiri for flying into Lusaka to learn some tactics ahead of the Flames 2013 Africa Cup of Nations final qualifying round against Ghana’s Black Stars.

Speaking in a telephone interview from Lusaka on Sunday, the continental showpiece winning coach said Kinnah displayed a lot of humility.

 

“It is very rare for a coach to humble himself and learn from a colleague.

 

“Some coaches are pompous and wouldn’t want to learn from fellow coaches and I salute Kinnah Phiri for his modesty,” said Renard who was in the company of Kinnah.

 

The Zambia mentor, who led Chipolopolo to their first Africa Cup of Nations triumph this year, also said he has no doubts that the Flames can surprise Ghana.

 

“Of course, it will be difficult to beat Ghana at their own backyard, but in football everything is possible.

 

“Malawi are a good side and with a proper approach, I am absolutely certain that they can get a positive result in Ghana and eventually qualify,” said Renard.

 

However, both coaches kept a tight lid regarding the notes they shared.

 

Kinnah who returned home on Sunday from his two-day trip, described his visit to Zambia as a huge success.

 

“It was a fruitful trip and I learnt a lot on how best we should handle the Ghanaians. However, I would not be comfortable to disclose the tips I got from the Zambia coach because by so doing, then we will be putting the Ghanains on guard,” said Kinnah.

 

Zambia have beaten Ghana twice in competitive matches this year including in the semi-finals of the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations.

 

Football Association of Malawi (FAM) president Walter Nyamilandu said they will also take advantage of the bilateral relations with the Chinese government to access a DVD of last Wednesday international friendly match between China and Ghana.

 

“So, we are not living anything to chance. Apart from the international friendly matches that we are trying to arrange [against Liberia and Zimbabwe], we want to get technical advice from the Zambia coaching panel as well as watch DVDs of Ghana’s recent games, including their 2010 World Cup matches,” said Nyamilandu.