U-20 inherit Flames’ scoring woes
Malawi national football team, the Flames’ goal-drought has extended to the Under-20 team as well.
Just like the senior team, who have been firing blanks and recently drew 0-0 against Uganda, the Under-20 also failed to score against Swaziland yesterday at Bingu National Stadium (BNS).
Despite dominating possession, the junior Flames failed to unlock the opponents’ defence as they settled for a goalless draw in the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifiers first-leg.
Though using the traditional 4-4-2 system, just like the senior team, the Under-20 played a defensive game.
It was a difficult set-up for the home strikers to break the defence and score.
Instead, they passed the ball around in midfield as coach Meke Mwase and his mentor Ronny Van Geneugden failed to devise a plan to help the boys score.
Abel Mwakilama and his partner in attack, Chikondi Mbeta, with the assistance of attacking midfielders Peter Banda and Chinsinsi Maonga, tried several tactics to get past Swaziland’s last line, but to no avail.
Despite having a single harmless single shot on target, Swaziland duo of Dlamini Turrel Linda and Shongwe Tsenzo were dangerous going forward with some blistering bust of pace and dribbling mastery.
On several occasions they exposed Malawi’s defence of Hadji Wali, Kelvin Kadzinje and Auspicious Kazongola, but they were not well supported to finish the offensive drive because most of their players were content to remain behind their goalkeeper Simelane Gwethu.
The visitors’ strategy as of the first-half held well as the more aggressive home side failed to find the net.
Swaziland coach Dumisani Makhanya was contented with the draw.
“We knew it would be tough playing away in Malawi. Our strategy was to defend and my players played according to that game plan. We managed to frustrate Malawi,”
Mwase blamed the draw on bad luck.
“We did everything, creating several scoring opportunities but I guess we did not have the luck. It is painful. We were the better team. But all is not lost we can turn things around in the return leg,” he said.
But soccer analyst Charles Nyirenda said the result was not a surprise since the junior teams are playing the same style RVG has been using at senior level.
He said: “These are the same tactics that the coach has been using at all national teams. It’s not working at senior team level, do not expect it to work at junior teams level.
“Remember, we were told he is introducing his philosophy across all national teams. This is the product.”
Another football supporter, Blessing Magombo, also held the same views.
“Malawi can’t win with that system RVG is using. Trust me,” he said.
Despite RVG’s tactics proving effective in as far as defending and passing is concerned, the Belgian coach is failing to translate this into goals and start winning matches.
