Ng’ambi bitter with Malawi coach over benching in Swaziland

Malawi national team and Platinum FC midfield dynamo Robert Ng’ambi admits he was left “bitter” after new Flames coach Ernest Mtawali sidleined him in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Swaziland on Saturday.

Ng'ambi: Bitter with benching
Ng’ambi: Bitter with benching

Ng’ambi was never used despite being the only senior professional available for the game.

Mtawali said the midfield workhorse was not given a chance to play because of a groin injury.

But the soft-spoken player, who has acquired a permanent South Africa resident, said he could have done better than some of the players who were given a chance to play.

“I can’t talk much about the performance of the team because every coach has his own strategy. But to tell you the truth it seems that I am no longer needed to be part of this team,” Ng’ambi said.

He said he was not against the coach’s decision but could have made a difference.

“I am not saying that I am against the coach but I feel I could have done better than other players who featured against Swaziland,” he said.

He also hinted that he could snub the next call-up because the coach has lost trust in him.

The newly-appointed coach also dropped captain Joseph Kamwendo, Atusaye Nyondo, Harry Nyirenda, Fischer Kondowe, Esau Kanyenda, Charles Swini, Frank Banda, a decision which Ng’ambi faulted.

“Much as we appreciate that there is a change in the squad it is also very important at look at other areas. We should not have just dropped some of the players because the team lacked maturity,” he said.

Mtawali said he had no regrets to have dropped experienced players.

“I think it will be unfair to suggest that we lacked experience in depth. There are might have been one or two who struggled because they were playing on such a big stage for the first time but I don’t think it could have been any better with the senior players. Maybe I need to clarify that the door has not been closed for those that were dropped,” he said.

Malawi face Tanzania in the World Cup qualifier on 7 October.

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JAPHET KAIRA
JAPHET KAIRA
8 years ago

Malawians we shud not b cheated by Ng’ambi we know watumidwa so that pple shud turn against the coach,plz stop those politics.kaya kukakhala kumangalange, kaya akakhala d costa ngati wachoka ku injury salowa mgam.

Thocco
Thocco
8 years ago

Ng’ambi kodi ma experienced players ukunenawo ndie akanayamba kuwinira pa swazilandiyo,mesa mumangoluza ma professional nonse muli momwemo? Zimbabwe inakuchinyani ija mesa inali under 23? Anakuchinyani nonse muli momwemo ndie ukufuna kunena chani? Mtawali waitha ndibwino kumenyetsa anawo than team yoti sitithandiza bcoz ndi ma professional.

Mlauzi
Mlauzi
8 years ago

Kwa omwe tinasewerapo mpira tikudziwa kuti ukamakula kuthamanga kumavuta. Nthawi zina ngati usanze magazi. The future is to blend the youth with experience. Anawo azithamanga pamene akuluwo ndi experience yawo aziwachita guide mafanawo and give them confidence

Chiuta watilongozge
Chiuta watilongozge
8 years ago

What do people mean when they say Malawi used “young players”? All those guys are old. The only truth is that it has taken them time to come to the limelight!!!! Is there anyone in the team that played against Swaziland who is below 20yrs? I totally believe Mtawali is afraid of working with experienced guys because they are more likely to speak out their mind. As such, he prefers using his “under 20 tools”. Serious, which rational coach would leave Baggio on the bench and introduce Yamikani Chester for Mhone? When not introduce Baggio in central mid-field (on attacking… Read more »

vwapuvwapu
vwapuvwapu
8 years ago

A Ng’ambi anthu amakhala pa bench kuyambira kale. Vomerani kuti munafowoka mumaso mwa Coach. kkkkk

sangomaaa
sangomaaa
8 years ago

A mtawali uku nde kusokoneza zinthu osat kukonza

Kantocha
Kantocha
8 years ago

enest akupanga zibwana ng’ambi ali boh

manganya
manganya
8 years ago

people have talked all sorts of Insult to Ernest. But the only way forward for the team is to blend these youngsters with some few veterans who are in top form out there during crucial matches. You can’t totally discard all the experienced players because there are teams like Egypt,Ivory coast,Ghana and others who are very dangerous in Africa which will require the services of these senior players in future

Paulos Banda
Paulos Banda
8 years ago

Kodi a Ng’ambi simunamve kuti Mtawali anati saseweletsa dzina?

Trad
Trad
8 years ago

The fact still remains that we should have won that game. Sure Ng’ambi was just laughing on the bench anyamata zikuwakanika poyerayera

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