2012 CECAFA Senior Challenge: Group Stage

Phiri admits job insecurity
Supersport (28 November 2012)

Malawi coach Kinnah Phiri has admitted that he is under pressure to deliver saying that his job is on the line.

The veteran coach said that he was fully aware of his situation and he is working on improving the team’s result.

With the warning shot fired at him months ago after a dismal World Cup qualifiers and Afcon outing, the former Malawi international is hopeful the axe won’t swing his way.

“There is pressure. With every coaching job you know that you are not guaranteed of your post. I know my job is on the line.”

“The thing which I have decided to do now is to get the results required to ensure that I won’t lose my job.”

This comes after Malawi suffered 2-0 defeat against a youthful Rwanda side that forced them to go back to the drawing board.

He also commented on Cecafa tournament.

“We thank CECAFA for what they have done for us. Our players have become pro because of not what COSAFA is doing but what CECAFA is doing. The latter have exposed our players and they have been signed in the finest leagues in the continent.”

29 November: Malawi v Eritrea (15:00); Rwanda v Zanzibar (18:00) – Local Time

Malawi 2:0 Eritrea (in progress – second half)

Goal scorers: Chiukepo Msowoya (header – minute 3) and Micium Mhone (25 yards shot – minute 11)

Malawi Starting Line up

Goalkeeper: Charles Swini
Defenders: Moses Chavula, Foster Namwera, Steve Chagoma, John Lanjesi
Midfieders: Joseph Kamwendo Micium Mhone, Chimango Kaira, Patrick Masanjala
Strikers: Chiukepo Msowoya, Rodrick Gonani.

The match was almost postponed. Water all over the pitch. The organisers didn’t know that it’s rainy season in Uganda? This match should have been postponed. In some areas of the pitch the water is ankle deep.

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Malawi 3:0 Eritrea (Chiukepo Msowoya – header minute 67)

Mark, spot on!

“If the games were all held at Nakivubo (15,000 capacity) you would not say a thing.” – The Ugandan…

Watch the Rwanda 2:0 Malawi video. How many people do you see in the stands? More than 100?

Isaac, friendly match for CECAFA tournament?

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Malawi 3:1 Eritrea (header – minuter 69)

Malawi 3:2 Eritrea (Penalty – Minute 90)

Malawi 3:2 Eritrea (Full Time)

A win is a win? So far the Flames have scored 3 but have conceded 4.

Zanzibar currently leading Rwanda 1-0 (goal scored munite 8). If Zanzibar end up winning this match they will be ahead of Malawi (3rd).

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62′ Goaaaal!!!!!! Rwanda 0:2 Zanzibar

Flames be afraid, be very afraid.

By the way, here are the tie-breaker rules:

1. Number of points obtained in games between the teams involved;
2. Goal difference in games between the teams involved;
3. Goals scored in games between the teams involved;
4. Away goals scored in games between the teams involved;
5. Goal difference in all games;
6. Goals scored in all games;
7. Drawing of lots.

Bafana Bafana, could you interpret the rules for us.

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80′ Goaaaal!!!!!! Rwanda 1:2 Zanzibar

Rwanda 1:2 Zanzibar (Full Time)

Group C:

1. Zanzibar (4 points, GD = +1)
2. Rwanda (3 points, GD = +1)
3. Malawi (3 points, GD = -1)
4. Eritrea (1 Point, GD = -1)

01 December: Malawi v Zanzibar (15:00); Eritrea v Rwanda (18:00)

The Flames (Malawi National Team) better not lose again at this tournament.

This is what the Malawi Minister of Sports Enoch Chihana said in parliament earlier today (before the match) in response to Rumphi North Member of Parliament Kesby Tasokwa Msiska’s question about the Flames’ recent poor performances:

“We think enough is enough, as government we have tried to give enough time to bring results but he (Malawi Coach Kinnah Phiri) has failed during the previous five games, so this is time to act. If they lose any other game at this tournament, we will meet with FAM and Sports Council to map the way forward. This is CECAFA, so he has no excuse unless it was World Cup or Africa Cup of Nations”

Rewind <<<<<

By sscouser | November 14th, 2012 at 12:11 pm

FAM sets 2015 AFCON Qualification Target
Nation Sports (14 November 2012)

Football Association of Malawi (FAM) has set qualification for 2015 Africa Cup of Nations as one of the targets for the Flames coaching panel, or face the chop.

FAM first vice-president Moses Mkandawire, who is head of the association’s technical subcommittee, said the target was agreed at a meeting held at the weekend.

He said the other target is either qualify for the next round of the 2014 World Cup qualifiers or, at least, finish second in their group that also has Nigeria’s Super Eagles, Namibia’s Brave Warriors and Kenya’s Harambee Stars.

“Malawians can forgive us when we lose to such teams as Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire, but if we fail to beat teams such as Namibia and Kenya [in World Cup Qualifies], Malawians won’t forgive us,” said Mkandawire.

But Mkandawire said the meeting also appreciated the performance of the Kinnah Phiri-led coaching panel considering the meager resources at their disposal.

“We are, therefore, appealing to government, the association and the soccer fraternity in general for their understanding and patience as the coaching panel continues with the task of rebuilding the national team,” he said.

Mkandawire also said regional tournaments such as the forthcoming CECAFA and COSAFA as well as the CHAN (Championship of African Nations – for local players only) have not been included as targets because they are development competitions.

Posted from  United States

@Sscouser I think it’s safe to say, throw out the tie breaker rules until you play Zanzibar.

@Mark, I hate to say I told you so …Malawi 3-2 Eritrea.

So Phiri might lose his job because of Malawian’s ignorance of CECAFA strength? It’s not like Hon. Chihana is flooding FAM in funds. FAM’s report afterwards shows a total disconnect between them and the sports ministry. 8o

The Ugandan…, I want all the teams to be aware of the tie-breaker rules before the final group matches. I am still waiting for Bafana Bafana to interpret the tie breakers rules for us. I don’t want to see a repeat of what happened to Bafana Bafana. The qualification that never was.

AFCON 2012 Qualifiers
…
Coach Pitso Mosimane (Former South Africa Coach) told officials on Monday (October 2011) he had read the rules before Saturday’s last qualifying game against Sierra Leone in Nelspruit but misinterpreted them, Petersen adds.

The coach was called in to explain how he got wrong his strategy for a game that South Africa needed to win irrespective of the result in the other group match, which saw bottom side Egypt beat Niger 3-0 in Cairo. The games were played simultaneously on Saturday.

Niger led both South Africa and Sierra Leone by a single point going to the weekend’s last round of qualifiers but when news Niger were trailing in Cairo reached Mosimane, he told his players to play for a draw believing it would be enough to qualify.

There was exaggerated time-wasting in the last minutes followed by scenes of celebration before South Africa discovered they had botched the permutations.

…

“So Phiri might lose his job because of Malawian’s ignorance of CECAFA strength?”

FIFA Rankings:

1) Uganda (CAF = 22; World = 86)
2) Malawi (CAF = 27; World = 101)
3) Ethiopia (CAF = 28; World = 102)
4) Sudan (CAF = 29; World = 102)
5) Rwanda (CAF = 37; World = 122)
6) Burundi (CAF = 38; World = 128)
7) Kenya (CAF = 39; World = 130)
8 ) Tanzania (CAF = 41; World = 134)
9) Eritrea (CAF = 47; World = 192)
10) Somalia (CAF = 48; World = 193)
11) South Sudan (CAF = 51; World = 200)
12) Zanzibar (not ranked – not member of FIFA)

“It’s not like Hon. Chihana is flooding FAM in funds.”

Bafana Bafana are well funded but where are they on FIFA Ranking? How come Manchester City are out of Champions League?

“FAM’s report afterwards shows a total disconnect between them and the sports ministry”

FAM set the target(s). However, don’t forget that the coach is a government employee. Who has the final say? FAM or Government (Sports Ministry)?

Posted from  United States

I thought in normal situations the games are supposed to kick off simultaneously? Are the rules being followed here not surprising and archaic? I see that there is a fertile atmosphere for conniving and cheating here.

Wotsutsa, thanks for your comment. CECAFA revised the kick-off times (Groups B and C). I have revised them accordingly.

Group A:
30 November: Kenya vs Ethiopia (16:00); South Sudan vs Uganda (18:00)

No need to revise Group A Kick-Off times because Uganda already qualified and South Sudan already eliminated.

Group B
01 December: Sudan v Burundi (14:00); Somalia v Tanzania (14:00)

Group C
01 December: Malawi v Zanzibar (16:00); Eritrea v Rwanda (16:00)

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@Wotsutsa, Zanzibar is good enough to beat Rwanda on merit.
If I remember correctly, Malawi drew with them recently.

Even if Eritrea bends over for Rwanda, the Flames would still have to tussle it out with Zanzibar. It is possible to have 3 teams out of group C.

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The Ugandan…, yes it is possible to have 3 teams out of Group C. In fact, two third placed teams will qualify.

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Kenya 3:1 Ethiopia (Kenya through to the 1/4 Finals)

If the 3rd placed teams in Groups B and C will have at least 4 points each then it will be over for Ethiopia. Zanzibar through to the 1/4 Finals. Malawi will just need a point from the match against Zanzibar. Rwanda too will just need a point from the match against Eritrea. Eritrea will need to beat Rwanda.

If Burundi will beat Sudan then Ethiopia still in it.

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South Sudan 0:4 Uganda

Brutal!

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Wooo hooo. A perfect 9 points and no goals scored against. It turns out the Cranes D team is even better than the “C” team.

Umony has his scoring boots on again. I smell Brazil.
:thumbs:

Unfortunately, I think Malawi government will fire Phiri after Zanzibar.

1/4 final matches to be played at 2 other stadiums in Lugogo and Wankuluku.

IMHO, both are worse at flooding than Namboole or Nakivubo but Namboole turf needs a breather.

The Ugandan…, you are used to playing on a muddy pitch so if it keeps on raining CECAFA should just go ahead and give you the trophy.

Keep on celebrating.

“For a first-timer in the regional tournament, South Sudan displayed plenty of promising football especially against the far more experienced side, the Cranes. It was not a below-par performance at all, they only lacked the experience, this year’s tournament being their first ever. They probed the hosts early into the game, with Zacharia Nasio attempting a shot yards out, only to see it float agonisingly wide.”

“Nothing could have inspired the hosts more for more goals than the Vietnam-based striker’s goal.”

Foreign based players? What for? It must be true that this is the “World Cup of East Africa”

You think Malawi Government will fire Kinnah Phiri if the Flames happen to lose to Zanzibar tomorrow? Some think FIFA would sanction Malawi for “Government Interference”. What’s your take?

“1/4 final matches to be played at 2 other stadiums in Lugogo and Wankuluku.”

Too late. Damage already done.

“IMHO, both are worse at flooding than Namboole or Nakivubo but Namboole turf needs a breather.”

Again, didn’t the organisers know that this is rainy season in Uganda? Why is the Africa Cup of Nations Tournament held in January/February?

01 December: Sudan v Burundi (14:00); Somalia v Tanzania (14:00)
01 December: Malawi v Zanzibar (16:00); Eritrea v Rwanda (16:00)

Local Time. It’s now 1.03 am (Saturday) in Uganda.

Will I be awake kick-off time? After the party there is the after-party. “Party don’t stop.”

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@Sscouser, you are so full of contradictions I do not even know where to start.

Why are Ugandan players the only ones used to playing on muddy turf? Doesn’t it rain in Malawi, Ethiopia, Sudan or Rwanda? These are poor excuses.

Foreign based players? What for? It must be true that this is the “World Cup of East Africa” 
The V- League season is over. So former and current Cranes players who are on vacation gt a look out. The particular player you’re referring to has no club but was last based in Vietnam and might join another club over there. BTW, this is not a local player’s. Phiri is free to call on the services of his S. A based stars.
Better party while you can because there might not be any partying if Zanzibar has it’s way.

10 hours to go. It’s 06:19AM in Kampala.

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Go Flames

Malawi 2-0 Zanzibar ….

Tanzania beat Somalia by 7 goals to nothing to join Burundi in the last eight.

Sudan 0 : 1 Burundi
Somalia 0 : 7 Tanzania

Malawi 2 : 0 Zanzibar.
Eritrea 0 : 1 Rwanda

Malawi currently 2nd in Group C with 6 points.

We are going to win the cup

Kinnah’s job is safe

Malawi can now beat any team in the tournament. They lost the first match because they didn’t play any friendly match.

@Bob Banda & Davie Khonje Please don’t start this …. again.

Soon Ethiopians will soon start doing the same too.

You were lucky Eritrea ran out of time.

Posted from  United States

“Why are Ugandan players the only ones used to playing on muddy turf?”

You tell me.

“Doesn’t it rain in Malawi, Ethiopia, Sudan or Rwanda?”

Kamuzu Stadium has an artificial turf. Drainage is excellent

“These are poor excuses.”

“We shifted the quarter final game for Uganda-Ethiopia from Monday to Tuesday because we want Namboole to have an extra day to recover. None of the other stadia can host a Uganda game, so it will be played at Namboole tomorrow from 7pm” – CECAFA Secretary General Nicholas MusonyeMusonye

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Almost all players of the Eritrean national football team abscond in Uganda to seek asylum
2 December 2012

Almost all players of the Eritrean national football team, which has been taking part in the CECAFA regional football competition – 17 players and 1 team doctor, absconded in Uganda to seek asylum, according to our sources.

According to the information, head coach Ngash Teklit and his assistant; trainer of the goalkeeper, Brhane (Breta); 2 players and two accompanying officials are the only people who are accounted for.

A few years back, 13 players of the national team had defected in the same manner, while representing the country in similar regional competition.

This is an additional indication how deep the crises in Eritrea has gone down.

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