Kenya vs Malawi: Nairobi – Ready or not, here come the Flames

We have the fire power required to torch Malawi – Kenya coach Kimanzi

Kenya coach Francis Kimanzi believes his charges can douse Malawi “Flames” in Saturday’s 2014 World Cup qualifying match at Moi International Sports Centre (MISC), Kasarani. Kimanzi, who watched his opponents play Tanzania in a build-up match that ended in a goaless draw last weekend in Dar es Salaam, is confident that his side can achieve a a positive result should they play according to the game plan. The former Sofapaka coach will welcome returning captain and striker Dennis Oliech to the side was speaking to Cafonline.com ahead of the encounter.

Cafonline.com: How is your team selection shaping up for the weekend match?

Kimanzi: I will definitely have to do without midfielder Macdonald Mariga and striker Allan Wanga both nursing knee injuries. I expect to have Wanga back for the Namibia match in Windhoek (on June 9) but Mariga will not be available. On a positive note, striker and captain Dennis Oliech is back and will lead out the team on Saturday. It is always good for any coach in the world to have your top marksman fit and ready to play. Oliech is a leader and one who scores vital goals and we have seen that before. We need goals on Saturday and Oliech’s decision to make a comeback is very positive in our quest to do well in the qualifiers. I can’t talk of my game plan now but all I have done is asked my charges to be wary of the threats posed by Malawi.

Cafonline.com: How much will it be a factor that you face Malawi without playing any friendly game?

Kimanzi: I don’t think it will influence my plans because this team has played together on several occasions and they know each other well. Of course it is a requirement to measure your side with well drilled teams ahead of such crucial qualifiers but it was not possible for us. We don’t need to cry now because we don’t have enough time left for friendly matches. We need to remain focused and prepare well for the match. We have a good team that can deliver success to the country in the qualifiers and that is my focus for now.

Cafonline.com: After watching Malawi draw against Tanzania in Dar es Salaam, what kind of opposition are you anticipating on Saturday?

Kimanzi: Malawi has good players and it is also a good side, but like any other team they also have weaknesses and if we play according to our plans, beating them on Saturday won’t be impossible. I know they have a good record against us because the last time we played against them was in the 2010 Council of East and Central Africa (CECAFA) Senior Challenge Cup in Tanzania where we lost 3-2. A lot has changed since then because I remember during that match we did not have our professional players’ around. We need to believe in ourselves and go out and get a positive result. I would like to believe that we will triumph on Saturday.

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“I have watched them [Malawi] several times and they play more like the Africa champions Zambia. Malawi has a galaxy of professional players and it will be vital for us to play as a team in order to contain them. I know it won’t be an easy task because they also want to qualify for the next stage of the World Cup qualifiers. I strongly believe that our current squad has a lot of potential and determination to do well” – Slovakia-based Kenyan midfielder Patrick Oboya

“…they play more like the Africa champions Zambia. Malawi has a galaxy of professional players…”

Cough, cough-cough

Indeed, a prophet is without honour in his own country.

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Tanzania 0:0 Malawi

According to coach Kinnah Phiri, the Flames dominated the better part of the match and with an ounce of luck could have scored twice.

“We were just unlucky not to score, otherwise the boys played their lungs out.

“At one point, a Tanzania defender cleared the ball on the goal-line following a fine header from Robin Ngalande when we all thought it was a goal. And then Zico Mkanda was also unfortunate not to score from a similar attempt,” said Kinnah.

Harambee Stars, don’t let the Tanzania 0:0 Malawi draw fool you.

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I predict a narrow score, 1-0 maybe 2-1 win for Kenya unless the Flames score early and park the bus.

Sscouser I am back with a message for The Ugandan.I don’t blame you with that prediction.As they say “love thy neighbor like you love yourself”I would do the same if Zambia was playing any other team apart from Malawi.However I beg to differ,we know the odds always favor the home team but not in this case.Kenya for some reason just can’t get over the hump when it comes to Malawi.Final score 2-1 Malawi or 1-0 Malawi.

@Sccousser – I thought since you seem to know a lot about football aka soccer, you would be better positioned to highlight tactics and where Malawi could be getting it wrong. By the way where is Robert Ng’mbi and Chiukepo Msowoya.

Malawi is a good team but they are getting it wrong in the midfield. You can dominate possession playing in your own half. Instead of dominating possession Malawi should dominate the midfield, that’s where games are lost and won. Against Tanzania, Malawi fielded a left footed pair of Kamwendo and Davie Banda in central midfield positions. These are too positions where you don’t need players who hang onto the ball for too long. The ball would be in transit between the defense and the attack. Malawi is always outmuscled and dominated in the midfield bcos of the use of the traditional 4-4-2 formation. Most national teams in the world play in a 4-5-1 formation. It’s not bus parking-it’s about midfield dominance. Instead of relying on the twin strikers to score goals, you take that burden to your midfielders.

Zambia doesn’t play like Malawi. Zambia traditionaly play 4-3-3 at times making it look like 3-4-3 with one of the defenders pushed further into the midfield. The three 3 strikers are usualy pacy, skillful, robust and mobile and keep the opposition wing backs (defenders) rooted in their own half so they don’t add numbers to the midfield. The 3 midfielders are usualy defensive players who don’t hang too much onto the ball. They protect the defence and quickly takes the ball to the 3 hard running frontliners.

At the AFCON the three fronliners were Mayuka,Kalaba & Katongo. There was a good understanding btwn them and they swapped positions a lot

I think Kenya will have an edge especialy with the return of Dennis Oliech. In another thread I emphasised his importance in the Harambee Stars team. I am pretty sure, they literaly begged him to return to national duty. A team is not about 1 player but sometimes you need 1 player that can lead by example and make a difference. What Katongo is to Zambia, Oliech is to Kenya.

Malawi is more likely to field the squad they fielded in their last friendly against who – Zanzibar. Zanzibar is not affiliated to FIFA, politicaly it is part of Tanzania even though it is an island on its own, off the Tanzanian coast. I wasn’t surprised by Malawi’s draw against Tanzania but to draw against Zanzibar who only feature in CECAFA tournmaent is a shock. It clearly shows that Malawi has reached a plateau and the goals have dried up…

Kalusha Bwalya (Zambian legend and football administrator) called back Herve Renard to guide Chipolopolo to lift the AFCON trophy. Malawi should lure back Danish manager, Kim Splidsboel if they want to make a mark in the continent.

Under the tutelage of Splidsboel, the Flames did very well. Meanwhile Central African Republic (Botswana’s next opponents) were ranked 202 out of 205 countries in the world until Jules Accorsi took them to 123 in FIFA rankings in barely 24 months. It is good to invest in a good foreign coach. Accorsi has left his job because he has not been paid for 8 months.

The Ugandan…, the Flames are not good at parking the bus. Against Tunisia (Tunisia 2:2 Malawi), they conceded avoidable goals because they parked the bus in “no parking” zone.

TK, not you again. Whenever you predict a Flames win the Flames lose. Waminyama

Marco, I won’t deny it that I seem to know a lot about football Unfortunately, I can’t highlight tactics and where Malawi could be getting it wrong because most of their matches are not on tape.

Son, you don’t just choose a system of play anyhow. You have to consider the following things:

1. Your players’ abilities.
2. Your players’ speed and stamina.
3. The length and width of the field you play on.
4. Your opponent’s ability, speed and stamina.
5. How much time do you have to practice? Some “Styles of Play”, such as a “Possession Style” attack that “builds the attack from the back” are more difficult to teach, require a lot of practice, require a very high level of skill for EVERY player on your team, and have little margin for error because a mistake in your Defensive Third can give your opponent an easy goal.
6. Which is more important to you, winning or playing sexy soccer?

In short, to choose the best soccer formation for your team, you MUST start with an evaluation of your players, your objectives and the “Style of Play” you want to use – Don’t make your team fit a formation and Style of Play; use a soccer formation and style of play that fits your team. You dig?

“Against Tanzania, Malawi fielded a left footed pair of Kamwendo and Davie Banda in central midfield positions. These are too positions where you don’t need players who hang onto the ball for too long”

How do you know that the two hang onto the ball for too long? Did you watch the match? Which other matches did you watch?

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“…I am pretty sure, they literaly begged him to return to national duty.” – Marco

Kenyan striker Oliech stirs debate in parliament
2012-05-04 01:57:02 GMT2012-05-04 09:57:02(Beijing Time)

NAIROBI, May 3 (Xinhua) — Uproar greeted the announcement by the Kenyan government in Parliament that it was not aware national football team captain, Dennis Oliech, had quit the team ahead of the crucial 2014 World Cup and 2013 Nations Cup qualifiers.

Sports Assistant Minister Kabando wa Kabando stunned lawmakers on Thursday with the statement adding that the French Ligue 1 AJ Auxerre striker has not formally communicated to either Football Kenya Federation (FKF) or the government.

…

T.I.A.

“Malawi is more likely to field the squad they fielded in their last friendly against who – Zanzibar”

Probable Starting 11 (Malawi):

Goalkeeper: Simplex Nthala
Defenders: Moses Chavula; James Sangala; Foster Namwera; Limbikani Mzava
Midfielders: Davie Banda, Joseph Kamwendo; Frank Banda; Ndaziona Chatsalira
Strikers: Atusaye Nyondo; Russell Mwafulirwa

I think Malawi Coach Kinnah Phiri will make one or two changes, just to prove me wrong.

Starting 11 against Chad (Chad 3:2 Malawi; 29 February, 2012):

Goalkeeper: Simplex Nthala
Defenders: Moses Chavula; James Sangala; Foster Namwera; Limbikani Mzava
Midfielders: Davie Banda; Peter Wadabwa; Tawonga Chimodzi; Frank Banda; John Banda;
Strikers: Atusaye Nyondo

Peter Wadabawa (Injury); Tawonga Chimodzi (Still in South Africa – Promotion/Relegation play-offs)

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“Kalusha Bwalya (Zambian legend and football administrator) called back Herve Renard to guide Chipolopolo to lift the AFCON trophy”

Wasn’t he the coach of Zambia during AFCON 2010? Why didn’t Zambia win the trophy then?

“Malawi should lure back Danish manager, Kim Splidsboel if they want to make a mark in the continent.”

The second division club that he is coaching in Denmark is about to be relegated. He signed Esau Kanyenda so he could help the club avoid relegation but the team has lost two games in row since Kanyenda joined. They need to win 3 out of the next 4 matches in order to avoid relegation.

The focus on foreign v local coaches is misplaced. The focus ought to be on successful coach, local or foreign.

“Under the tutelage of Splidsboel, the Flames did very well.”

What do you mean by “did very well”

“Meanwhile Central African Republic (Botswana’s next opponents) were ranked 202 out of 205 countries in the world until Jules Accorsi took them to 123 in FIFA rankings in barely 24 months.”

Cherry picking? Didn’t Botswana local coach take Botswana from Page 4 (150+ Ranking) to Page 2 (50-100 Ranking) of the FIFA Ranking Table?

“It is good to invest in a good foreign coach.”

Why?

“Accorsi has left his job because he has not been paid for 8 months.”

Aha! That there tells you why we don’t have an expatriate coach. Did you hear about the Malawi Kwacha devaluation?

Foreign vs. Local: The Great Coaching Debate
http://pitchinvasion.net/blog/2009/11/02/foreign-vs-local-the-great-coaching-debate/

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I will say it again. Malawi will win this game. I have a strong suspicion on what they will do. Watch for the midfield (hint hint). They are more talented and very suited to play teams like Kenya. They will not feature the team that played against Zanzibar. Again I say to Kenya watch the Malawi midfield. This is why Malawi versus Nigeria will be a thriller!

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Malawi will not play like they did in Tanzania -take it to the bank. Malawi is very good in space and will dominate the midfield.If they had Robert N., and their right winger Peter., were available this was a done deal-again they will be available for Nigeria- hence thriller. Nonetheless, Joseph will only play central role to allow Chavula to supply -that will be trouble for Kenya. Malawi will take it to Kenya–their coach has heard a lot about parking the bus strategy.

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Gwe, lest we forget:

Nairobi — The fourth All-Africa Games soccer tournament semi-final between Kenya’s Harambee Stars and Malawi was brought to a premature end because of a sudden black-out at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, in 1987. The game was replayed and Kenya won.

With Malawi leading 1-0 and pressing hard for another goal, the stadium was plunged into darkness following power failure, leaving the referee with no alternative but to call off the clash amid protests by the Malawians who claimed there was foul play to save the home team.

Fortunately, this time it will be played during the day.

“I will say it again. Malawi will win this game. I have a strong suspicion on what they will do. Watch for the midfield (hint hint). They are more talented and very suited to play teams like Kenya.” -Gwe

Harambe Stars, be afraid, be very afraid

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With Malawi leading 1-0 and pressing hard for another goal, the stadium was plunged into darkness following power failure, leaving the referee with no alternative but to call off the clash amid protests by the Malawians who claimed there was foul play to save the home team.

I remember that game very much because Malawi played and apparently also learnt a few things from Kenya, when they used a similar approach in Blantyre against Zimbabwe with similar results.

Malawi will win on Saturday.

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“…when they used a similar approach in Blantyre against Zimbabwe with similar results.”

Gwe, Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Kenya vs Malawi – The Flames have spread to Kenya
http://malawi.worldcupblog.org/team-news/kenya-vs-malawi-the-flames-have-spread-to-kenya.html#comment-47236

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