After a disastrous campaign in the Cosafa Castle Cup and African Nations Championship (Chan), questions have emerged on whether Malawi national football team, the Flames\u2019 Coach, Ronny van Geneugden (RVG), is the right man for the tough job.<\/p>\n
In April, Football Association of Malawi (Fam) handpicked the Belgian despite that he did not have national team coaching experience, hoping the former Genk FC mentor could turn around the Flames\u2019 fortunes after comical displays in recent years.<\/p>\n
But if the performances of the team in Chan and Cosafa Castle Cup are anything to go by, the Belgian has a mammoth task to bring joy to Malawians.<\/p>\n
Van Geneugden has been in charge of seven games, claiming a single victory (1-0 over Comoros), three losses (twice by 1-0 margins to Madagascar and 2-0 to Tanzania) and three goalless draws against Mauritius, Angola and Kenya in all competitions.<\/p>\n
The statics are far much below those of former Flames coach, Ernest Mtawali, who registered four wins, lost thrice and drew once in eight games.<\/p>\n
Ironically, Mtawali was shown the exit door after the expiry of his one-year tenure on July 1, 2016.<\/p>\n
Since April, the Flames have only found the back of the net once in a victory over Comoros at Bingu National Stadium, courtesy of Gerald Phiri Junior\u2019s free-kick.<\/p>\n
Van Geneugden told journalists in South Africa after exiting the Cosafa Cup that his charges have a bright future.<\/p>\n
\u201cI thought we deserved to have a penalty [for a first half foul on Sailesi]. We had the game in our hands against a very powerful Angola team. I think it was a good result. We have a very good young squad with a bright future,\u201d van Geneugden told SuperSport Television in a post-match interview.<\/p>\n
Some local football analysts have since given mixed reactions to the Belgian\u2019s performance with the Flames.<\/p>\n
In an interview on Thursday, sports analyst Peterkins Kayira said it was difficult to judge the coach based on seven games only.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe is the coach who wants results just like any other coach in the world. He needs time to prove himself and a coach cannot show his worth in five [seven] games. Despite his bad record, if you check where he started coaching to date, we should remember that successful people are those tired of failing,\u201d said the former Malawi international Kayira.<\/p>\n
\u201cHis record is far from impressive but we should not condemn him. Let us support him.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Flames legend said he was not surprised with the poor showing at the Cosafa Cup in South Africa.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe team has no problem. What they are showing us now is what we planted in the players years back so we are just seeing the fruits. What does one expect from the boys? To me they are doing their best I cannot expect anything more than what I see,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
Former Nyasa Big Bullets general secretary, Higger Mkandawire, said the performance of the team under van Geneugden was unconvincing.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe does not fully understand African football and Malawi, in particular. In all the games he has been changing the first XI, mainly in games involving local players. He needs to understand the attitude or behaviour of his troops.\u201d<\/p>\n
Lilongwe-based fan Ezaius Mkandawire said the Belgian inherited problems.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe current squad lacks experience, which means that the Flames\u2019 project lacks continuity. Most people agree that Fam hierarchy has been there for too long. This is the only structure that has not changed for a very long time. That means we are recycling ideas,\u201d Mkandawire said.<\/p>\n
However, Fam President, Walter Nyamilandu, insisted that the issue of the Flames\u2019 underperformance was a shared responsibility, saying the association has not been receiving enough funding to keep junior national teams active in international competitions, hence the association prioritises the senior side.<\/p>\n
Nyamilandu backed van Geneugden, saying he had done his best, selecting players on merit and instilling in them a new playing philosophy.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is worth noting that the coach is not playing names but he is picking players based on merit and not which clubs they play for. He has been very bold in his selection and style of play. His ability to spot talent is exceptional. I think he has tried to make the best out of nothing considering that most of the players are debutants and young,\u201d he said on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
Some analysts suggest that van Geneugden should have met with regional coaches to appreciate the challenges of Malawi football.<\/p>\n
Since its inception 20 years ago, Malawi has never won the Cosafa Cup but only reached the final in 2002 and 2003.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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