Austrian questions Kazisonga’s omission

Tom Sangala January 9, 2017

341 1 minute read

Austrian football observer, Gerhard Schrenk, has questioned the rationale behind Malawi Women’s National Football Team Coach, Stuart Mbolembole’s omission of captain Chisomo Kadzisonga from the squad that lost 2-3 to Zambia during last week’s friendly in Lilongwe.

However, Mbolembole pushed the blame on the defender, who plays for Austrian second Bundesliga side, FC Altera Porta, for not availing herself for camp training prior to the game at Nankhaka Ground. She was then back for a holiday.

Schrenk, who contacted The Daily Times through Facebook, said Malawi cannot do without Kazisonga and Sweden-based Tabitha Chawinga.

During the game, Kazisonga was in the terraces as the striker Chawinga scored the second having earlier created the opener for her younger sister Temwa.

“Football Association of Malawi (Fam) knew that Chisomo was there, but they did not even call her to camp. Is it like Fam like to have their own team lose? Chisomo trains hard in Austria and is in best shape,” said Schrenk, whose interest in the matter was unclear.

The Austrian claimed to be an avid follower of Austrian Women’s football league and he sent The Daily Times video clips of the Malawian sweeper.

Mbolembole, on Saturday, insisted that unlike Chawinga, Kazisonga was uninterested in the team’s happenings.

“She heard about the camp but she did not avail herself. Even when she came to watch the game, she did not even bother to say ‘hello coach,” he said.

Usually, it is the coach’s responsibility to check on the players that are available for an assignment.

Mbolembole insisted that he had three days only to assemble a team, hence it was difficult for him to track all players he opted for locally based players.

Speaking before she returned to Austria, Kazisonga insisted that the issue about her exclusion was water under the bridge.

“I believe they knew that I was around and Tabitha told one of the officials that I was back but she was told that I can go and just help them with the training. She did not inform me because she felt it was an insult to me,” Kazisonga said.

“I also think it is their duty to follow up on us and know how we are doing and not me hunting for them. If the coach was unaware that I was around, then his backroom team did not inform him.”