|
|
|
|
| Sports |
| We tried our best—Kinnah |
|
by
Garry Chirwa, 18 October 2004
-
19:55:22
|
Bakili Bullets coach Kinnah Phiri said Sunday his team has bowed out of the Caf Champions League with a lot of dignity.
“It’s quite painful to think that we have not made it into the last four but then as a team that reached this far for the first time, I think we gave out our best...it was not easy at all.
“It was quite a wonderful experience to play against the elite of African football. We have learnt a lot from this unique tournament,” said Kinnah after his team’s one-all draw against Enyimba of Nigeria which finally put to an end their juicy dreams for continental honours.
The Bullets coach then went on to shower praise on his troops and sponsor former state president Bakili Muluzi.
“Credit should go to the boys...even when they were down this afternoon they never gave up. Even when Fischer Kondowe was shown the red card the boys never flew the white flag. We have finished third in the group with six points and that is not bad.
“In fact they have been fighting all along. I should also thank our sponsor former president Bakili Muluzi for all the support he gave to the team. Surely we would not have reached this far had it not been for his support. We would not have reached this far,” said the Bullets mentor who also thanked the fans and the officials for their support..
Commenting on the actual game, Kinnah pointed a finger at the Angolan officiating personnel whom he accused of not being firm enough.
“They spoiled our game with their highly questionable decisions. Apart from that I think we messed up a few good chances that should have seen us through, but perhaps luck was not on our side as well,” he said.
Meanwhile Kinnah is reported to have complained to Muluzi during a meeting the team had with its sponsor on Friday that they got very little support from the executive.
The former head of state made a surprise visit to Superior Hotel in Blantyre on Friday to gee-up the Bullets ahead of the game.
An inside source disclosed that Kinnah told Muluzi in the presence of the executive that the team was getting very little support from its brace.
“He actually told the sponsor that the executive members were very scarce in times of need and always switched off their cell phones, and that they were only available at the occasion because of the sponsor’s presence.
“Muluzi then assured the meeting that he would seriously look into the issue,” said the source, who asked not to be named.
Bullets vice general secretary Ibrahim Patel confirmed the development, but said it was an internal issue.
“Kinnah indeed said that but it was unfortunate because we cannot be available all the time. Apart from running the club we also work, so we cannot be there all the time,” said Patel. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
