Junior Mambas not afraid of the Flames

August 6th, 2009 | By: sscouser | 3 Comments »

It seems the Junior Mambas (Mozambique Under 23 side) are not afraid of the Flames. The Junior Mambas will play against star-studded Flames on the Fifa Fixed Friendly date of August 12, 2009. The Mozambique FA decided to send the junior side because the senior side will also be playing a friendly (against Swaziland) on the same day.

If the Flames can play a friendly against a foreign junior side why can’t they play a friendly against Malawi local clubs or Malawi local clubs select team? A prophet is without honor in his own country? What’s the difference between playing a foreign junior side and playing against a Malawi local club or select team? Yes, some foreign junior sides are stronger than the Flames but we are talking about the Junior Mambas. Since the Mozambique Senior side will also be playing on the same day that means the Junior Side’s best players will be with the Senior Side. So, in other words, the Flames are going to play against Mozambique Team C. Oh, wait a minute, Mexico 5 U.S.A 0, it’s Malawi vs. Mozambique.

I think it would be wrong to blame the Flames’ poor performance on lack of friendlies due to lack of funds. If the friendly against Junior Mambas will be beneficial then any friendly is beneficial. Before Malawi played against Guinea on June 21, 2009 they could have played against 3 or 4 local clubs (Bullets/Wandererers,/ESCOM United/Silver Strikers). The Harambee Stars (Kenya National Team) play friendlies against local clubs. It’s what you are trying to achieve that matters. Team cohesion?

The FIFA Fixed Friendly Dates are wrongly placed. For instance, August 12, 2009 is the FIFA Fixed date for friendlies and yet Malawi will not play a competitive match until September 5, 2009. Most Flames’players play for South African Clubs . This means that they will go to Malawi for the friendly game against Junior Mambas on August 12 and then go back to their respective clubs after the game. 2 ½ weeks later (4-5 days before the Guinea game on Sept 5) then go back to Malawi. The length of time that a team stays together is an important aspect of team cohesion. Team Cohesion does not take place right away but requires time and nurturance. Keeping players together for reasonable periods of time is a necessary first step in creating a cohesive atmosphere. It’s easier to achieve team cohesion when the National Team is only made up of players who play for local clubs. I wonder if the Flames will ever achieve team cohesion. The Flames will ever be full of South Africa based professionals. I don’t blame them. Greener pastures?

“Name one Arsenal fan who gets ten pounds an hour who would turn down a 30 pound an hour job” – Ade (Attributed)

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Comments

By TK | August 6th, 2009 at 10:27 pm

Ssccouser,

If you go back and read my articles you will find the dichotomy on why Malawi always fail.It starts at administration level.Remember talent if not properly natured can serve to your disadvantage.Malawi always complain about lack of friendlies,how about we accept that we are a poor country and just play ball.Remember in life you play the cards that you are delt with.A good example like I reiterated in my previous comments is that of England.When was the last time they won a major tournament?They have all the talent in the world and they play more than enough friendlies.I agree with you that Malawi can play a Malawi select side and play as many matches more frequently to improve on their cohesion as oppossed to just settling for any other team.FAM needs to start coming up with practicle stragtegies given that we are a poor nation instead of just sitting down and sulking about how many friendlies we need to play.

By sscouser | August 7th, 2009 at 11:55 am

I am glad that we are disagreeing without being disagreeable.

Most of the times, it’s the coaches who blame poor performance on lack of friendlies due to lack of funds. It’s the coaches who suggest when to play a friendly and whom to play against. FAM can suggest that the Flames play against a local club or Malawi select but if the coach says no there is nothing FAM can do. If the coach wants the Flames to play a friendly he asks FAM. If the money is there FAM then writes other Football Associations. If the money is not there it’s up to the coach to suggest that the Flames play against a Malawi local club. It seems to me that it’s the coach who doesn’t want the Flames to play against local clubs. Just a few weeks ago he wanted Malawi to camp in South Africa for about 3 weeks and play against lower division league clubs. When FAM said no (because of lack of funds) some fans started attacking FAM. Seriously, going to South Africa to play against the likes of Carara Kicks would just be a waste of money.

As stated in the post, The Flames’ first 11 is full of professionals (most of them South African based) so, it would be hard to achieve team cohesion at the moment because most leagues already started. Last May and June were the best months to try to achieve team cohesion because all leagues were off season. Again, the Fifa Fixed Friendly Dates are wrongly placed. What about all leagues having a two-weeks break before a FIFA competitive match? Currently clubs are required to release their players 4/5 days before a competitive match. Assuming a Flames’ player plays in the U.S. he would spend about 2 days travelling to Malawi. What about jet lag? The 4/5 days are not enough.

I am glad that you mentioned that Malawi is a poor nation. This year’s sports budget (all sports: Football, Netball, B-Ball, Tennis, Boxing, Swimming, etc.) is MK500 Million (1 USD = MK137.9). Let’s assume that FAM gets MK100 Million. That’s not enough for the whole year considering that there is existing debt and considering that the Flames have to fulfill the three remaining World Cup/Africa Cup of Nations fixtures against Guinea, Burkina Faso and Ivory Coast with the U-17 expected to take part in the World Youth Championship in Nigeria. Each Flames’ away competitive game costs FAM around MK 20 Million (camp, air tickets, allowances, etc. depending on where the country they are playing against is located). No wonder there is not enough money for friendlies and prolonged camping. FAM needs to stop depending on the government money? Times are tough. Most companies are trying to cut expenses. Even individuals are trying to cut expenses. Any suggestions?

England have all the talent in the world? Wayne Rooney can’t play without better players around him. With Manchester United, Ronaldo made him shine; playing for England he hasn’t got the support to make things happen. Gerrard and Lampard are occasionally brilliant but never shine over a full ninety minutes. Heskey and Crouch? Would you put these in your dream world team? Not even in my best 1,000. England will win the World Cup on condition that they are the hosts and all referees are English (no smiley here). Lol!

Posted from United States

By sscouser | August 11th, 2009 at 10:42 am

The Flames friendly against Junior Mambas will not take place. The Junior Mambas failed to travel to MAlawi after failing to secure air tickets for the trip, reportedly. It seems they booked the air tickets a bit late, allegedly.

Posted from United States

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