RVG under pressure
Some disgruntled football fans are today expected to march to Football Association of Malawi (FAM) offices at Mpira Village in Chiwembe, Blantyre to present a petition demanding the firing of Flames coach Ronny Van Geneugden (RVG).
The supporters, led by Machinjiri-based Ajasi Kalowe, say they want RVG’s contract terminated following the Flames’ poor perfomance, the latest coming just yesterday when they lost 1-0 to Kenya in an international friendly match at Moi International Sports Centre in Nairobi.
Francis Kahata scored the lone goal of the game in the 78th minute.
The Flames were also whacked 3-0 by Morocco’s Atlas Lions in 2019 African Cup of Nations (Afcon) in Casablanca last Saturday.
RVG has so far recorded two victories, six losses and nine draws in 17 matches, and Kalowe said it is time for FAM to take action by firing the coach.
“We will gather at Limbe Magistrate Court where the parade will start.
“The petition, therefore, will be submitted to FAM through its general secretary Alfred Gunda,” he said.
Responding to the public outcry on the Flames’ performance, FAM president Walter Nyamilandu yesterday said RVG should now prove his worth in the upcoming 2019 Afcon qualifiers.
The FAM boss said despite the fact that the odds were against the Flames in the match against Morocco, a team that qualified for the 2018 Russia World Cup, the performance was not what was expected.
“I agree that it’s not pleasing at all. Though we were up against a giant, it’s not a result that we expected,” he said.
Nyamilandu’s statement is contrary to what the coach said after the 3-0 loss when he described his charges’ performance as impressive, arguing that the result was not a true reflection of the match.
Responding to Malawi’s loss to Kenya, RVG yesterday said: First-half we were stronger. Second-half it was even. They scored out of a scrimmage.”
But Nyamilandu said time has come for the Belgian coach to prove if he is worth his salt when Malawi faces Cameroon in back-to-back qualifiers on October 10 away, and on October 13 at Bingu National Stadium.
“They are tough matches and that’s why we recruited an expatriate coach. He has to show his expertise at this critical moment and he must prove his worth,” he said without elaborating what would be the coach’s fate in case he fails to do deliver.
