Window of opportunity
Flames coach Ronny van Geneugden (RVG) says top Belgian club, Sint-Truidense VV (STVV), will keep track of Under-23 national team players in their subsequent training matches with the hope of offering trials to those that will be outstanding.
The team, which is camping in Belgium in preparation for the joint 2020 Olympic and Under-23 Africa Cup of Nations’ (Afcon) qualifiers against Zambia, plays its second training game this afternoon against Oud-Heverlee Leuven (OHL).
“STVV have approached us, saying they will send some scouts or members of their technical panel to our subsequent games to monitor the performance of the players.
“Of course, they said there were two or three players they were impressed with during our first match, but they want to monitor the performance [of the players] over a couple of games.
“So, let us hope that our players can be consistent enough and perform well to be considered for trials,” RVG said.
After Tuesday’s match, STVV coach Marc Brys hailed the team’s striking force as industrious, but pointed out goalkeeping as the weakest link.
“Malawi is an ambitious team, especially the quick strikers and the guy who was playing behind the strikers [Mike Mkwate] I like him a lot. He is mobile. If he plays more with central infiltration, he could help the team,” he was quoted as having said in a post-match interview.
RVG, who is the overseer of all national teams, said the camping is a good experience for both the players and technical staff.
“They will play against some of the top teams here and it offers them an opportunity to become better players.
“On Thursday, we watched a Europa League match between Genk and Slavia Praha, it wasn’t a good game, but there were lessons on the approach and attitude. This evening [yesterday] we will watch a league match between leaders Genk and third-placed Antwerp,” he said.
Meanwhile, United States-based players’ agency, Rainbow Sports Investments (RSI), says it is also monitoring the performance of Malawi Under-23 players with the hope of facilitating deals for those that will impress.
The firm facilitated former Be Forward Wanderers midfielder Yamikani Chester’s deal with Czech Republic side MFK Vyškov and his subsequent loan move to US outfit North Carolina FC.
A representative of the firm, James Woods-Nkhutabasa, said: “We are keeping our word on showcasing Malawian talent to the global market and we are keeping an eye on the performance of the players in Belgium.”
The team is expected to play three more friendlies, including against Genk, subject to confirmation.
They will depart Belgium on March 4 for Egypt where they will play an international friendly match against their Egyptian counterparts on March 8 before returning home the following day.
