Malawi National Football Team Coach, Ronny van Geneugden, Tuesday painted a bright picture of the Flames’ displays following a barren draw against hosts Kenya’s Harambee Stars.
“We played a very strong Kenyan team. We tried to play our passing game but it was difficult because of the pitch and also the physical approach of our counterparts,” van Geneugden explained in a telephone interview.
“With experience, we can do better in some areas and you only get that experience by playing more games. I am proud of the boys going into the game against Madagascar.”
Kenya’s Daily Nation newspaper reported that both teams “fired blanks in the dour stalemate in the Eastern town of Machakos in front of a sizeable crowd” at the 10,000-seater Kenyatta Stadium.
It was the Belgian’s first game in charge of the Flames who will proceed to Madagascar ahead of Saturday’s African Nations Championship (Chan) first leg, first round match.
The newspaper added that the Confederation of African Football President, Ahmad Ahmad, watched the friendly.
Van Geneugden reportedly handed debuts to Premier Bet Wizards exciting midfielder, Simeon Singa, with Nyasa Big Bullets’ Muhammad Sulumba and Kelvin Hanganda from Kamuzu Barracks leading the attack in what seemed like a balanced 4-4- 2 formation.
Kenya Coach, Stanley Okumbi, deployed Posta Rangers goalkeeper, Patrick Matasi, with Joackins Atudo, Robinson Kamura, Simon Mbugua and Bolton Omwenga at the back. Kennedy Otieno led the attacking line.
The hosts, ranked on position 78, 12 steps ahead of Malawi, went into yesterday’s battle on the back of a five-game unbeaten run against three wins, one draw and one defeat for Malawi.
Malawi has played Kenya 50 times, with the Flames winning 19, losing 12 and drawing 13 games.
Malawi squad: Ernest Kakhobwe, Lucky Malata, John Lanjesi, Stanley Sanudi, Francis Mlimbika, Singa (Harvey Nkacha), Chimango Kayira, Gilbert Chirwa (Yamikani Chester), Dave Banda, Hanganda (Dalitso Sailesi), Sulumba.
Kenya squad: Matasi, Simon Mbugua, Jaockins Atudo, Duncan Otieno, Boltom Omwenga, Victor Majid, Kamura, Samuel Onyango, Calvin Odongo, Otieno, Darius Msagha
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