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| Sports |
| Gillett’s lifeline |
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by
Garry Chirwa, 15 August 2003
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14:08:15
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HIS name rolls off the tongue so sweetly just like his talk but Flames coach Alan Gillett is aware that he has to shake a curse which has bedevilled him since he took over.
A single penalty shoot-out victory in nine matches doesn’t sound appealing to the ear and the Flames certainly have to put the Zambians in the shade on Saturday afternoon in the semifinals of the flushy Cosafa Castle Cup at the giant Chichiri Stadium to ensure that Gillett remains in the comfort zone.
As usual, the plain-spoken coach put on a brave face at a press conference of this explosive encounter at Mount Soche Hotel in Blantyre on Thursday evening stating that the rough edges had been ironed out.
Responding to a rather tough question on what his jazz will be should things not go the Flames’ way today, Gillett, appearing very free and easy, said: “This is a very important game for me...if we don’t have a good result on Saturday, I don’t know what I will say.
“I came back from England to prove a point but if that doesn’t work out then I have my ticket ready to get me back to England.”
The upbeat coach also said: “I am really looking forward to this game, from my own point, I wish I was playing.....honestly I wish the game was tomorrow.”
Gillett added that he was very excited with the return of South African-based experienced duo Patrick ‘General’ Mabedi and John Maduka who has reclaimed the arm band as captain.
“The presence of John and Patrick is great really, I am absolutely pleased to have them on board,” said the coach.
Overall, Chipolopolo have beaten Malawi 25 times in their previous 48 meetings in which 11 games ended in draws. Malawi has beaten Zambia 12 times.
Last year, during the same month and same stage of the same competition, the Zambians departed Chichiri Stadium as a group of sullen and bitter troops, after being put to the sword by 11 knights from the Warm Heart of Africa through Essau Kanyenda’s lone penalty strike and the Zambians only found solace in a sip of Castle Larger to forget the misery.
The Russian-based hitman Kanyenda will not be around this time but all the same Gillett has the reassuring sight of Maduka and Mabedi who are expected to slip easily through the gears.
Wait a minute! and then there is youthful Joseph Kamwendo, the lad who has offered further evidence—as if it were needed—that he is a massive asset to the Flames. He has exuded brilliance with consistency, tearing many a defence to shreds—he should be on song in today’s clash which is most likely to be his debut.
The whole jazz would be incomplete not to sing about militant winger Kenan ‘Anong’a’ Kondowe and Peter Mgangira whom it is has been said time and again that his deft touches and swift turns are protected by the copyright society.
On the other hand, the Zambians should be treated with great care. They no longer command fierce respect as giants on the continent but they have not yet reached a point of no return. They have embarked on a serious drive to arrest their decline.
Coach Patrick Phiri said on Thursday that his charges will play out of their skin today and they will send tremors across the stadium that has stirred and swayed thousands upon thousands of Malawian soccer enthusiasts.
“Last time we did not play the Zambian game, our performance was dismal but this time it will be different...this is a different game altogether,” he said.
His biggest weapons are their Germany-based captain Moses Sichone, striker Chaswe Nsofwa who plays in Russia and Harry Milanzi.
Flames probable line-up: Phillip Nyasulu, Joseph Gatros, Maupo Msowoya, Lackson Mtambo, Patrick Mabedi, John Maduka (c), Peter Mgangira, Kenan Kondowe, Joseph Kamwendo, Russell Mwafulirwa, Noel Mkandawire
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