Fischer Kondowe, Esau Kanyenda slam RVG for ignoring veterans

Tom Sangala October 5, 2017

363 2 minutes read

Nyasa Big Bullets’ right-winger Fischer Kondowe and Be Forward Wanderers hit-man Esau Kanyenda have accused Malawi National Football Team Coach, Ronny van Geneugden (RVG), of sidelining veteran players.

Kondowe, who never won any silverware with the national team and fell out with most Flames coaches over disciplinary issues, said he is surprised that RVG is rebuilding the team with youngsters while ignoring veterans.

The controversial winger, who last played for the national team in 2014, has been outstanding for Bullets this season, but he could not explain what new thing he would offer to the Flames.

“Let us not take the national team as a personal entity. There are several experienced players who are now playing better than the young ones who are selected to the national team.

“Building a team does not mean that you abandon seasoned players. Young players are supposed to learn from the experienced players. I am not saying they should call me up to the national team but I am against the technical panel ignoring veterans who are playing well on the local scene. With this way of doing things, the national team cannot progress,” Kondowe said.

In a separate interview, Nomads striker Kanyenda, who has just joined the team from South Africa’s Polokwane City, said he still has something to offer to the national team.

“I am still playing. I haven’t announced my retirement from the national team. When I was at Polokwane, I lacked game-time and that affected my fitness but I am now enjoying my game. I can’t comment much about the national team because every coach has his strategy.

“However, I want to stress that an expatriate must not coach the senior national team. An expatriate coach must go to junior teams and identify players for the senior team as was the case during Manfred Hoener’s tenure. Hoener groomed players like me, Peter Mponda, Fischer, Muzipasi Mwangonde and Andrew Chikhosi,” Kanyenda said.

Recently,RVG dropped seasoned players such as Joseph Kamwendo, Chiukepo Msowoya, Chimango Kaira and Harry Nyirenda from the Flames’ squad.

The Flames coach was not readily available for a comment yesterday, but Assistant Coach, Mponda, defended RVG.

“Sometimes we have to do things that will benefit the nation for years to come. If I may ask you, which is good to take two steps forward or two step backwards? If you recall, our coach said players that are performing quite well will be considered for the national team,” said Mponda who used to captain the Flames’ squad that had the likes of Kanyenda and Kondowe.

Football observer Ernest Maganga Wednesday said it was unthinkable for the national team to accommodate what he called 44-year-old players.

“For our football to develop, we need to concentrate on young players. For us to be featuring a 44-year-old, it would be a mockery to the game. Football is about endurance. In any case, what new thing will they offer? Their experience can add value to the game but certainly not at the national team level,” the former Wanderers Team Manager said.