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Angola could be tricky
By
Charles Nyirenda - 08-10-2002 |
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Angola came to Malawi nearly five months ago and crashed 2-1 in the quarterfinals to relinquish the Cosafa Castle Cup crown which they won last year after edging Zimbabwe 1-0 in Harare following a 0-0 draw in Luanda.
This weekend they will be back in the country for a different assignment altogether—Nations Cup business.
With the hangover of that sweet victory still fresh in Malawians, the general feeling is that Angola will once more be there for the taking. Optimists say that the UK visit which the Flames undertook before dislodging Zambia in the semis of the Cosafa Cup competition gave the lads much needed exposure.
Added to that, the boys are believed to be burning with desire to redeem themselves following the 4-1 aggregate debacle in the two-legged Cosafa Cup final against South Africa a fortnight ago.
Nevertheless, realists sound more cautious citing the barren 0-0 draw Angola registered at home against Nigeria a month ago. These people believe the match will be a tight-throat affair. They say Angola will be going for broke after losing two vital points at home.
Thus a draw or loss could spell doom for the team in the qualifiers. They also think that Angola could be seeking for revenge for the 2-1 Cosafa Cup defeat, not to mention their sheer desire to progress in the Nations Cup.
But the Flames seem equally determined to erase recent memories of a dismal showing against South Africa. The Flames are themselves well aware that any result beside an outright victory will be inadequate if the ambition of making it to the 2004 Nations Cup finals in Tunis is to be fulfilled.
Like in the past, the Flames have always found it hard to beat big teams on the road. Thus home ties are the only reliable means of securing maximum points.
As the coaching panel designs strategies to out-do Angola, it may wish to consider making a provision for a back-up to Essau Kanyenda in attack. He scored the first goal and pressurised the Angolan goalkeeper to miss a clearance for freak second when the Luanda lads lost 2-1 in the Cosafa Cup quarterfinal match. They are likely to put a man on him just as South Africa did in the finals.
Supposing Russell Mwafulirwa partnered him from kick-off, would Angola be able to contain two aggressive strikers simultaneously? And how about Peter Mgangira, Sherry Msuku, Victor Phiri/McDonald Yobe and Fischer Kondowe starting in midfield, and Itaye Nundwe, Joseph Gatros, Maupo Msowoya and Clement Kafwafwa closing the border? Then Navigator Dzinkambani/Phillip Nyasulu minding the goals? Wouldn’t Angola sweat with such a combination? |
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