Thanks to some two goals from Atusaye Nyondo, and a third from Frank Banda, Malawi national football team – the Flames – fans afforded some smiles in the one hour and half match against Ethiopia Wednesday afternoon.
Without mincing words, most Malawians – including some of the most patriotic – have admitted; not just once, but many times, that our national football is a big embarrassment. For the Flames, it is difficult to recall when they last won – the easiest is to state when they last lost.
So, it was not surprising that the Kamuzu Stadium in the commercial capital Blantyre was discouragingly filled during the Ethiopia-Malawi match. Most football followers, for sure, at the back of their minds, were certain of one thing – the Flames were going to lose. And; maybe, lose embarrassingly for that matter right at the back of their yard. And, who wants to be beaten right at their own home?
That is how much to the dogs our national football has gone. There is no hope. Some have even gone further to brag that it is for the Queens – our national netballers – that we must channel most of our sporting resources to. At least, so they have added, they offer us more smiles that heartbreaks!
It was, therefore, very surprising – a miracle actually – that the Flames won, with three goals for that matter on Wednesday. Yes, we might have scooped the three points in our Group B for the Africa Cup of Nations 2015 qualifiers; but when next will that happen?
We, at MaraviPost, would like to ask the technical panel, and whosoever was involved in making sure that the Wednesday miracle happens, to make sure that the team does not disappoint any time soon. Probably, at this critical time ahead of the 2015 AFCON, there should be more homework done on the Flames. What happened on Wednesday that we have not done in the last three or so games?
