Malawi team selection criticized: ‘Ng’onamo picking more players from his club Bullets’
Former Malawi national team players, Peter Mponda, Ojuku Makunga, Mabvuto Lungu and season sports journalist Charles Nyirenda have criticized national team technical panel for using more Big Bullets players in Flames first eleven against Zimbabwe at the expense of other talents from various clubs.
There were reservations in the manner Flames technical panel led by Eddie Ng’onamo picked the national team players, with a lot of mixed reactions from local football enthusiasts and players on social media and the mode of selection clearly turned to haunt the Flames as the Bullets and Silver Strikers players dominated line-up.
Mponda and Nyirenda asked whether it’s only Bullets who have good players at the moment comparing to other teams in Malawi.
Ng’onamo, also coach for Bullets, simply picked the top players form Bullets and Silver and the outcome was certainly poor against Zimbabwe.
“It should be a lesson well learnt for the Ng’onamo, Patrick Mated and Ernest Mtawali. They should not repeat a similar mistake in future.” said Mponda.
Mponda also questioned the substitution of Young Chimodzi jnr for Bongani Kayipa.
“The image of favoritism should not be depicted in the mode of selection; all players should be given a chance to represent the country so long as they can prove their mettle” noted Nyirenda.
However, Ojukwu ‘Abusa’ Malunga said Flames need to be mentally strong when they face Namibia, because Namibia will come as wounded soldiers.
According to Lungu, the Flames technical panel has a lot of work to do in midfielder but pointed out that Douglas Chirambo has shown potential to be the chief negotiator on the middle of the park.
Ng’onamo told Zodiak Broadcasting Services that he was satisfied with the results.
“we greatly missed the services of [Robert] Ng’ambi, and other professionals but still I’m happy to have featured local players and some of them will feature in Flames against Namibia,” he said.
