2014 World Cup: Malawi coaches plot against Eagles

Flames coach Tom Saintfiet met his predecessor Kinnah Phiri at MountSoche in Blantyre held a consultative meeting ahead of the World Cup qualifier against Nigeria.

The meeting comes after the Belgian coach had heaped praise on Kinnah when he was unveiled in Lilongwe describing the former Flames tactician as one of the best coaches in the region.

The coach sought advice from Kinnah, who managed to hold Nigeria in the first leg at Kamuzu Stadium, through a late equaliser from substitute John Banda.

Football Association of Malawi (Fam) General Secretary Suzgo Nyirenda confirmed that the meeting between the two coaches took place.

‘The coach said he wanted to meet local coaches in a consultative meeting. It’s something normal. That’s what coaches do. When you are new in a job you consult other coaches and try to work with them,’ Nyirenda said.

‘In fact, the coach has already met Jack Chamangwana, Young Chimodzi, John Kaputa and on Friday, yes he met Kinnah.’

Though the General Secretary could not give details of the meetings, he confirmed that the meetings were focusing on the Flames World Cup qualifier against Nigeria. So far the coach has lost two games against Zimbabwe and Angola at recently concluded Cosafa Cup.

But before the World Cup qualifier against Nigeria, the Flames play a strength-testing match on August 14 possibily against Ethiopia or Jordan.