RVG registers 7th draw
Malawi national football team, the Flames, on Tuesday held the Uganda Cranes to a goalless draw in a friendly match at Nelson Mandela Stadium in Namboole, Uganda.
The result was the Flames’ seventh draw under Belgian Ronny Van Geneugden (RVG) since he took over the mantle.
RVG deployed goalkeeper Charles Swini in goals; defenders Gomezgani Chirwa, Limbikani Mzava Chembezi Denis and Precious Sambani.
John Banda, Raffick Namwera, Robin Ngalande and Dalitso Sailesi in midfield while Chawanangwa Kaonga partnered Richard Mbulu up front.
Led by goalkeeper and captain Dennis Onyango, Cranes coach Sebastien Desabre made three changes to the squad that beat Sao Tome and Principe 3-0 on Saturday.
Denis Iguma, Tadeo Lwanga and Yunus Sentamu replaced Nico Wakiro Wadada, Geofrey Kizito and William Luwagga Kizito respectively.
But Malawi failed to take advantage of the hosts fatigue and were saved by the heroics of goalkeeper Swini and the crossbar.
The stalemate was coach Ronny Van Geneugden’s seventh since he took over the mantle last year.
Before yesterday’s match, RVG had registered two wins against Comoros in African Cup of Nations (Afcon)) and a friendly against Togo.
He had drawn six games against Mauritius, Angola, Kenya, Morocco and Lesotho and lost three times against Tanzania and twice to Madagascar in African Nations Championship (Chan).
RVG, before this match, had admitted his team’s lack of attacking firepower, after scoring five goals in 11 matches.
Yesterday they created a good scoring opportunities, the closest one being when substitute Chiukepo Msowoya and Frank Banda were denied by experienced Uganda goalkeeper Onyango.
RVG in post match interviews gave credit to the Flames.
“I think it was a good performance for Malawi. Uganda are strong physically and tactically. We had two or three chances which unfortunately we did not score. I look forward to the next assignment at the Cosafa Cup in June,” he said.
Malawi face Cameroon and Morocco in Afcon qualifiers while Uganda date Lesotho and Tanzania in September.
Malawi XI
Charles Swini, Gomezgani Chirwa, Limbikani Mzava, Chembezi Denis, Precious Sambani, John Banda, Raffick Namwera, Robin Ngalande , Dalitso Sailesi (Patrick Phiri), Chawanangwa Kaonga (Frank Banda), Richard Mbulu (Chiukepo).
