We’ll fight for an early goal—RVG
Flames coach Ronny van Geneugden has said their plan is to score an early goal so as to ease the pressure against Madagascar this Saturday in the return leg of the 2018 Championship of African Nations (Chan) preliminary round.
The Flames went down 1-0 away in Antananarivo last Saturday via Ardino Raveloarisona’s strike that gave the Barea a spring in their step going into the return leg.
“The plan will be to score as early as possible so that we get even. We will have to run all through for us to get a good result,” van Geneugden told the media on arrival from Madagascar on Monday.
Flames captain Dave Banda declared that they will turn the tables come Saturday.
“I think we played well, that we lost was because it wasn’t just our day. But we will win the return match.
“Everyone knows the importance of this match and we are raring to,” he said.
The Flames need to win the match by a two-goal margin to qualify for the first round. Should the Flames win 1-0 then it will proceed to penalties while a 2-1 win for Madagascar will see them qualify on away goal rule.
Saturday’s encounter is set for Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe.
Meanwhile, the Flames have drafted in seven players as they seek to overturn the tables. They are Joseph Kamwendo, Robin Ngalande, Isaac Kaliati, Ishmael Thindwa, Micium Mhone, Chisomo Mpachika and Binwell Katinji.
CJ gets season’s first goal in Mozambique
PATRICK LUNDA
Correspondent
Malawi’s international midfielder Christopher ‘CJ’ Banda on Sunday scored his first goal of the season in the Mozambican Mocambola League.
The Flames midfielder scored the lone goal which inspired his team Ferroviario de Nampula to a 1-0 win over Texafrica Chimoio.
Banda, who is also Nampula’s captain, rose to the occasion in the 83rd minute to get his team back to winning ways after last week’s 4-2 loss to Liga Desportivo Maputo, which was their second loss of the season.
“It was a volley from a rebound. It felt really good to score my first league goal of the season and, most importantly, helping my team to victory,” he said.
The victory has lifted the team to seventh position with 12 points from eight games having drawn thrice, won thrice as well and lost once.
Banda’s compatriots Schumacher Kuwali, who has scored four goals, and Ndaziona Chatsalira were introduced as substitutes while striker Zicco Mkanda was sidelined for the game.
He appealed to Flames coach Ronny van Geneugden to give Mozambique-based players a chance in the national team.
“Most Malawian players are doing well here [in Mozambique] and I would like to urge the new coach to consider coming here to monitor how we are doing,” he said.
