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The major talking point among football followers this week has been the debacle in Aba, Nigeria where Bakili Bullets suffered their worst defeat in recent history. I decided that come what may, I was going to resist the temptation to discuss that tragedy because I share the loss and the sooner it is forgotten the better.
But I have failed. The comments attributed to coach Kinnah Phiri and, once again, general secretary Ophman Kondowe “will become fact if repeated unchallenged”, to quote my former boss and mentor Dr Ken Lipenga as reported by my colleague Gedion Munthali.
I don’t think anyone should waste time commenting on the claim that rains were to blame for the loss. I don’t think Enyimba played their match before the rains and the Bullets after. When teams go into camp they need to prepare for all sorts of situations, including understanding the climatic conditions of the country they are heading for.
I am sure the Bullets have played in rain before. If they had not, one would have expected them to prepare for a rainy day in Aba even if it meant soaking the players in the shower and watering the pitch during one of the training situations. If they did not, they should blame their preparations and both Kondowe and Kinnah have to answer.
But perhaps the two gentlemen have a point after all. I hear even Enyimba felt the pitch situation prevented then from doing better. One wonders what that really means but one cannot help to take skipper Peter Mponda’s confession into account. The defending champions are simply a class apart, he confessed.
You see, I have sometimes had problems with Mponda’s honesty but this time I think it was well-placed. A gentleman should accept that they fall short in some respects. This is the one lesson the defender-cum-midfielder needs to give to his coach who does not want to accept that they are a class lower than their tormentors.
The sort of remarks that are coming from the Bullets camp are not helpful to anyone. In the first place those of us who were feeling sorry for them will be offended by their arrogance. And if Kinnah thinks that he is motivating his charges by promising that the Bullets will get even at home, the move might backfire.
At this stage of the tournament the players need no more pressure from anyone, least of all their coach. There are still some people around who may take Kinnah’s challenge seriously and if Enyimba repeat their conquest here, the over-expectant fans might fail to take it in honourably.
I honestly feel the Bullets have made enough history for this year — I mean by getting to this level not losing 0-6. Right now they just need to use the games as a learning experience and enjoy the opportunity while it lasts. They have nothing to lose and if they play with no pressure to achieve immediate results, chances are that they can register a few good results on the way. Ambition should never displace realism.
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