Flames U20 host Zambia today
From tracksuits and dreadlocks to smart hair-style and office suits, Ernest Mtawali’s transformation from an elegant international midfielder into a coach could take a historical turn from today.
Unbeaten Malawi Under-20 national team, under the tutorship of the rebranded Mtawali, take a foot closer to the Senegal 2015 CAF Youth Championship finals when hosting rivals Zambia at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre.
“It means alot to the guys. They have been working hard. They want to change things [not winning at home]. Zambia have a good team, but I think we have a great team. I, personally, believe in attacking football of building from the back. I am no longer in dreadlocks as I am in role model to the guys.,” said Mtawali, whose club career spanned 22 years across 12 clubs in Africa, America, Europe and Asia.
Malawi Under-20, billed as the most immediate generation of the Flames, last qualified for the African final in 1998 with its graduates such as Peter Mponda making a seamless graduation in the Flames.
Due to the deceitful and cruel nature of two-legged ties, the Junior Flames are expected to get the business done and dusted on home turf, where they have surprisingly never won, and finish the job in Lusaka after two weeks.
“The last time I watched Zambia was at the Cosafa Cup. It’s not going to be easy, but we want to turn things around,” added the coach whose assistant is Gerald Phiri.
Yes, the Junior Flames have only won on the road in the opening two rounds when pushing aside Botswana 2-1 (3-2 on aggregate) and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) 2-0 and 3-1 on aggregate, but against the Junior Chipolopolo it could be a different ball game all together.
Pressure of playing in front of a difficult-to-please home fans, some coaching interference that comes in the shape of goodwill, has seen the Junior Flames, who Surestream goalkeeper Brighton Munthali captains, managing just 1-1 draws in two home games.
“He is different from other coaches in a sense that he has played football at the highest level, relates and communicates well to players,” said Munthali in a recent interview.
The wins on the travels include the 1-0 beating of South Africa’s Amajimbos in a warm-up match that saw on the score sheet Chawanangwa Kawonga, who has three goals in this campaign and one goal for Khumbo Ng’ambi.
But Mtawali knows that while his charges have defied the odds to deliver away, one has to labour through the archives to find the last time Malawi national football team won in Zambia. Kawonga is expected to deliver the goods with Munthali leading from the sticks.
The Junior Chipolopolo’s march to the final round was more emphatic as they whacked Mozambique 4-0 over two legs. The Zambians were expected in Blantyre on Thursday.
But against the rival Malawi, Zambia coach Hector Chilombo is not taking chances. He (Chilombo) has also included Sweden-based defender Peter Mulenga to bolster the squad. Mulenga turns out for Swedish outfit IF Monifidi.
Skipper Lubambo Musonda is leading the Zambia squad that includes Napsa Stars’ influential midfielder Saith Sakala. Sakala has scored six goals in 13 appearances to help Napsa qualify for the Barclays Cup.
Overall winner between Malawi and Zambia will qualify for the final to involve eight teams in Senegal where world football scouts and big clubs yearn to spot the next Samuel Eto’o and Didier Drogba.
