Kinnah Phiri: Our mission is to win this crucial encounter. Pic by Malawi Digest.By Emmanuel Sobilika
All hearts for Malawians will this afternoon be in Ouagadougou the capital city of Burkina Faso where the Malawi Flames confront their hosts, the Stallions in their final 2010 Nations Cup final qualifier decider.
It has taken the Flames 25-years for them to reach so close to a Nations Cup final place.
The last time the Flames qualified for a National Cup tournament final was 25 years ago.
A win or a draw will book the Flames of a place at the Angola 2010 Nations Cup final.
That is not enough, the Flames may also depend on the results between Ivory Coast and Guinea where the West Africans will also be battling it out in another decider.
A win by Ivory Coast will seal Malawi’s journey to Angola next year no matter of the result in Ouagadougou.
But depending on the Ivory Coast and Guinea result may be suicidal on the part of the Malawi Flames. They have to win their encounter against Burkina Faso at whatever cost to be assured of a place.
Flames Coach Kinnah Phiri told journalist before departure that his charges are determined to make history by qualifying for the Nations Cup finals by winning away in Ouagadougou.
“Our mission is to win this crucial encounter,” he told reporters before departure.
The Flames mentor said he was confided for a win because their loss in Blantyre to Burkina Faso was just a fluke.
“We were not supposed to lose that match, so we will revenge in this final game,” he declared.
The Football Association of Malawi (Fam) have left no stone unturned as they have sought services of a man of God in Bishop Mark Kambalazaza and Malawi’s College of Medicine Psychologist Dr Gus Banda.
The two respected men in their fields are on the trip to Ouagadougou encouraging the players through prayers and counselling.
Fam has also paid in advance all the players their travel allowances to avoid any excuses.
Meanwhile, the Ngwazi Dr Bingu wa Mutharika administration has promised each player MK100, 000.00 for a win.
As part of the motivation factor, Malawi Sports and Youth Development Minister Dr Lucious Kanyumba has joined the team in Ouagadougou.
Apart from the Minister, all senior Fam officials including President Walter Nyamirandu Manda and General Secretary Charles Nyirenda have also travelled with the team.
The Malawi Flames, have performed wonders in recent years and on their way to reach this far, the beat some of Africa’s most respected teams like African Champions Egypt and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The match is Ouagadougou will be played at the National Stadium and kicks-off exactly 6:00pm Malawian time.
Malawi Digest will keep you posted as events unfold in Burkina Faso. Watch this site.
Starting line up: Swadick Sanudi, Peter Mponda (Captain), James Sangala, Allan Kamanga, Moses Chavula, Jacob Ngwira, Hellings Mwakasungula, Peter Wadabwa, Russel Mwafulirwa, Chiukepo Msowoya and Joseph Kwamwendo.
Substitutes: Maupo Msowoya, Dave Banda, Robert Ng’ambi, Esau Kanyenda and Victor Nyirenda-Malawi Digest.
All hearts for Malawians will this afternoon be in Ouagadougou the capital city of Burkina Faso where the Malawi Flames confront their hosts, the Stallions in their final 2010 Nations Cup final qualifier decider.
It has taken the Flames 25-years for them to reach so close to a Nations Cup final place.
The last time the Flames qualified for a National Cup tournament final was 25 years ago.
A win or a draw will book the Flames of a place at the Angola 2010 Nations Cup final.
That is not enough, the Flames may also depend on the results between Ivory Coast and Guinea where the West Africans will also be battling it out in another decider.
A win by Ivory Coast will seal Malawi’s journey to Angola next year no matter of the result in Ouagadougou.
But depending on the Ivory Coast and Guinea result may be suicidal on the part of the Malawi Flames. They have to win their encounter against Burkina Faso at whatever cost to be assured of a place.
Flames Coach Kinnah Phiri told journalist before departure that his charges are determined to make history by qualifying for the Nations Cup finals by winning away in Ouagadougou.
“Our mission is to win this crucial encounter,” he told reporters before departure.
The Flames mentor said he was confided for a win because their loss in Blantyre to Burkina Faso was just a fluke.
“We were not supposed to lose that match, so we will revenge in this final game,” he declared.
The Football Association of Malawi (Fam) have left no stone unturned as they have sought services of a man of God in Bishop Mark Kambalazaza and Malawi’s College of Medicine Psychologist Dr Gus Banda.
The two respected men in their fields are on the trip to Ouagadougou encouraging the players through prayers and counselling.
Fam has also paid in advance all the players their travel allowances to avoid any excuses.
Meanwhile, the Ngwazi Dr Bingu wa Mutharika administration has promised each player MK100, 000.00 for a win.
As part of the motivation factor, Malawi Sports and Youth Development Minister Dr Lucious Kanyumba has joined the team in Ouagadougou.
Apart from the Minister, all senior Fam officials including President Walter Nyamirandu Manda and General Secretary Charles Nyirenda have also travelled with the team.
The Malawi Flames, have performed wonders in recent years and on their way to reach this far, the beat some of Africa’s most respected teams like African Champions Egypt and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The match is Ouagadougou will be played at the National Stadium and kicks-off exactly 6:00pm Malawian time.
Malawi Digest will keep you posted as events unfold in Burkina Faso. Watch this site.
Starting line up: Swadick Sanudi, Peter Mponda (Captain), James Sangala, Allan Kamanga, Moses Chavula, Jacob Ngwira, Hellings Mwakasungula, Peter Wadabwa, Russel Mwafulirwa, Chiukepo Msowoya and Joseph Kwamwendo.
Substitutes: Maupo Msowoya, Dave Banda, Robert Ng’ambi, Esau Kanyenda and Victor Nyirenda-Malawi Digest.
Great to see our national team brilliantly coached by our own guys. We have all the talent in our own country and we can achieve the highest goals. Great job Malawi! Malawi moto!
ReplyDeleteoh what a fantastic achievement!! GO FLAMES GO. BRING ON THE HEAT!!!
ReplyDelete