Fam says Malawi’s Flames is far behind Zambia
FOOTBALL Association of Malawi (Fam) has conceded that Malawi is far behind Zambia in developing football structures.
Reacting to Zambia’s progression to the quarterfinals of the 2017 Under 20 Fifa World Cup in Korea, Fam Youth Development Officer, James Sangala, said Malawi has a lot to learn from the Malawi neighbours in developing football at all levels.
Zambia bowed out of the tournament at the hands of Italy through a narrow 3-2 loss.
“This is not the first time they have done that. So there is a lot that, as a country, we can draw some lessons from. And as Fam, we have a lot of work to do – more than just an uphill task. You know football nowadays is about investment and we have not done much in that area. Our structures are so disorganised. In fact, they [Zambia] are very much ahead of us in developing football in all aspects,” Sangala said.
Malawi’s national Under 20 side was last in action at the 2016 Under 20 Cosafa tournament where it failed to score a goal in three matches and exited the tornament in the preliminary stages.
Zambia clinched the title, seeing off hosts South Africa in the finals. Sangala said it is sad that, by the look of things, the Junior Flames “will remain inactive for quite some time”.
He said Fam is yet to line up a calendar of events for junior teams.
“Programmes [to keep them active] are there, but they will not take place soon,” Sangala explained.
Currently, the team does not have a mentor following the appointment of then coach Gerald Phiri Snr as assistant to Flames coach, Ronny Van Geneugden.
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