RVG says did well with best team in Africa
Already out of contention Malawi Senior National Football Team ‘The Flames’ finished their 2019 African Cup of Nations Campaign with a 0-0 draw against ‘The Atlas Lions’ of Morocco in a match played at Bingu National Stadium (BNS) in Malawi’s Capital City Lilongwe on Friday 22nd March 2019.
The game had little to write about from both sides despite the visitors dominating the opening minutes of the match.
The home side later picked up in the first half to equal the experienced Morocco side but were not good and composed enough to find a goal.
The Flames also had goalkeeper Ernest Kakhobwe who produced a number of brilliant saves to prevent the visitors from finding the back of the net.
The Atlas Lions had two best chances late in the second half but the ball denied entry into the net by the cross bar.
The double efforts came from beautifully curved free kicks from Moroccan substitute Rachid Alioui.
On the other hand, The Flames also had one best chance from south African based Gabadinho Mhango who managed to perfectly round his opponent but his final chip in went across the face of the goal mouth.
Flames Head Coach Ronny van Geneugden (RVG) rested Mhango and Khuda Muyaba and replaced them with Binwell Kayinji and Micium Mhone in search of the lead but the substitution yielded nothing.
Ugly scenes were also noticed as the home fans started to throw missiles towards the end of the math in anger against some of the referees decisions.
Speaking to reporters after the match, RVG expressed satisfaction with the performance of his boys and described Morocco as one of the best teams in Africa.
“We played much better in the first half, very disciplined and mature. Eighty five percent of the players who played today are in off season. However they did well against a team that I regard as the best in Africa” said the Belgian expatriate tactician.
His opposite number Harve Renard described the draw as a fair result.
This means that the Flames have finished their Afcon campaign on the bottom of Group B with five points.
They managed a single win, two draws and three loses.
Since RVG took over as Head Coach, Flames have played a total of 22 games with only two wins, 11 draws and eight loses.
Starting line-ups:
Malawi-Kakhobwe, G. Chirwa, Cholopi, Lanjesi, Sanudi, Banda, C. Chirwa, Chester, Phiri Jnr, Mhango, Muyaba.
Morocco-Mohir, Oualid, Badr, Yunis, Abdelkarim, Youssef, Mehdi, Abdehlah, El Kaabi, Oussama, Zakariam.
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