Former national soccer team coach Kinnah Phiri has come out of his shell to wish the Flames good luck as they face Namibia’s Brave Warriors in a 2014 World Cup qualifier away in Windhoek this evening.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with the Weekend Nation yesterday, Kinnah vowed to follow the events as they unfold in the Namibian capital with keen interest.
“Regardless of whatever happened, I am a Malawian and I have to rally behind my team.
“So, I want to put it on record that I wish the boys as well as the new caretaker coaching panel all the best as they face Namibia tomorrow [this evening].
“Of course, it will be tough for us since we’ll be playing away, but with solid determination I believe we can get a result in Namibia,” said Kinnah.
He also rallied the nation to be behind their team as they plunge into the battle.
“Of course, the problem [with some Malawians] is that when our team is struggling, we don’t embrace it as a failed national cause, needing all of us to come together to find a solution for a better performance tomorrow [Saturday], but rather, in our shallow world, we take it as an excuse to mock those who suffered in service for their nation. We need to change that mentality for the betterment of our country.
“So, my message is that let us support our boys, let us support the coaches because they are there representing us all despite the differences that we might have,” said Kinnah.
The Flames legend also expressed gratitude to FAM for providing the caretaker coaching panel a chance to play an international friendly match against Botswana.
“During my tenure, I emphasised the need for the team to prepare adequately and I am happy that [Eddington] Ng’onamo, Ernest [Mtawali] and [Patrick] Mabedi were accorded a chance for an international friendly match to assess the players,” he said.
Kinnah was fired as Flames coach alongside fellow legends—his former deputy Young Chimodzi and technical adviser Jack ‘Africa’ Chamangwana recently. They were later on redeployed to Sports Council.
It was under Kinnah’s tutelage that the Flames accumulated the two points in this campaign having drawn against Kenya’s Harambee Stars [0-0] and reigning African champions Nigeria’s Super Eagles [1-1].
