Date Of Article: 4/2/2003
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Kim plays down Flames’ chances
By: Garry Chirwa
Former national coach Kim Splidsboel has said the Flames have slight chances of qualifying for the 2004 Africa Nations Cup final to be held in Tunisia following the 1-0 loss to Nigeria’s Super Eagles last Saturday. “I think realistically we have very little chances because we are looking at taking on both Nigeria and Angola away...before this game I could say Malawi had 85 percent chances. “But they have now dropped to under 50 percent. But in football anything can happen and we have to encourage the boys not to lose hope even though it’s not easy to chalk a win in Nigeria but everything has a beginning,” said Splidsboel. He also said although the Flames played their lungs out, they were caught napping at times. “There was good team spirit but there was a visible lack of coordination in almost all the departments. We could also not win second balls. “Peter Mgangira and Peter Mponda were outstanding in midfield but in the second half, we should have introduced a linkman... a linkman is missing in the team, it could be John Maduka, it could be Ernest Mtawali or Sherry Msuku....I don’t know,” said Splidsboel who was succeeded by Allan Gillett. He said the Flames picked up in the second half and had a wonderful performance, “but we must admit that Jay-Jay Okocha was the man-of-the-match.” Splidsboel, who is supposed to leave Wednesday for Denmark, called on President Bakili Muluzi at his BCA Hills private residence where he thanked him for sponsoring his trip to watch the game. Splidsboel also presented a gift to the president.
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