The Flames of Malawi: “The Arsenal of Africa”

According to the Sept 08 2009 Daily Times, FIFA technical instructor Detlev Bruggemann (Member of Germany Football Association), who is conducting a Win in Africa With Africa Coaches Course in Malawi, had observed that the Flames need to embrace modern football tactics in which the ultimate aim is to score goals and not play flowery football.

Bruggerman said the Flames stand a better chance of surviving against Africa giants if they sharpen their attacking. He also observed that Malawi was not the only African Country that is addicted to fancy football.

“It’s a common problem in Africa in which players tend to hold to the ball unnecessarily. As a result you waste a lot of time trying to entertain the crowd instead of playing to score goals. I watched your game on Saturday and that is my observation,” he explained.

“Of course, supporters (fans) expect to be entertained but the ultimate objective is to win. You can play flowery football but what if you lose? It does not count.”

YOU PLAY TO WIN THE GAME

In the Video: Herman Edwards (Former New York Jets Coach), answering a reporter’s question on the team’s ability to win after a Week 8 loss to the Cleveland Browns (on October 30, 2002) left them at 2 wins and 5 losses. After this speech (”This is what’s great about sports. This is what the greatest thing about sports is. You play to win the game. Hello? You play to win the game. You don’t play it to just play it. That’s the great thing about sports: you play to win, and I don’t care if you don’t have any wins. You go play to win. When you start tellin’ me it doesn’t matter, then retire. Get out! ‘Cause it matters.” ), however, the Jets, sparked by the debut of Quarterback Chad Pennington, would go 7–2 and win the AFC Eastern Division Championship

Yes, the objective is to win. In other words, you play to win the game/trophies. Even Almunia (Arsenal’s Goalkeeper) agrees: “Arsenal is a big, big club and people are not happy with semi-finals. People want celebrations and street parties. As players we need that too, to have us touching medals, to have something in our hands we can always remember.