Flames captain pleads for friendly match
Flames captain Joseph Kamwendo has said it will be suicidal to face Algeria’s Desert Foxes next month without playing an international friendly match.
The Flames will host Algeria on October 11 and then play the return leg four days later in Algiers in 2015 Africa Cup of Nations Group B qualifiers.
Kamwendo was reacting to a gloomy picture painted by Sports Minister Grace Chiumia and Football Association of Malawi (FAM) president Walter Nyamilandu that there appears no possibility of arranging an international strength-testing match due to lack of funding.
“If we are serious about doing well in this campaign and qualifying for Morocco next year then we need to be serious about the way we prepare.
“We all know that money is a problem in our country, but still the authorities can come up with an altanative like arranging a friendly game against either another North African country or at least a strong team from within our region,” said Kamwendo.
The Flames skipper described the forthcoming home game against Algeria as crucial in that it could determine the Flames’ destiny in the campaign.
“If we win this game then we will have a very good chance of qualifying for Morocco because Algeria are the toughest team in the group,” he said.
Former Flames captain Peter ‘Mjojo’ Mponda said it will be unfair for the Flames to face Algeria without a friendly match.
“This will be a different game compared to the recent two games against Mali and Ethiopia in that Algeria is a totally different opposition and the approach and game plan cannot be the same.
“What has to be born in mind is that Algeria is a much stronger side that took part at the World Cup recently and, therefore, the need for through preparations. The unfortunate thing is that under such circumstances, when the team loses we are quick to point a finger at the players and the coaches,” said Mponda.
The Flames are on third position with three points from two games following a 2-0 loss to Mali and 3-2 win over Ethiopia.
Algeria top the table with six points having won both their games so far whereas Mali, just like Malawi, also have three points but with a better goal difference that puts them on second position.
