Yamikani Fodya, Stanley Sanudi blame derby
Ming backs Yamikani Fodya and Stanley Sanudi have attributed their Wednesday’s sloppy displays for the Flames in Tanzania to last weekend’s energy-sapping Blantyre derby.
Fodya and Sanudi, who featured for Big Bullets and Be Forward Wanderers respectively last Saturday, struggled to stop Tanzania strikers Thomas Ulimwengu and Mbwana Samatta.
The TP Mazembe duo scored for Tanzania after exploiting gaps created by left-back Fodya and right-back Sanudi during the Fifa World Cup preliminary round, first leg match at Dar es Salaam’s National Stadium.
The wingbacks’ coordination with Miracle Gabeya and Limbikani Mzava in central defence was also problematic.
In a post-match interview, Fodya admitted that he was not at his usual best due to fatigue as he travelled for four hours from Blantyre to Lilongwe to join their colleagues before flying out to Tanzania the following morning.
He said he did not have enough rest as, upon arrival in Tanzania, he went straight into training in Dar es Salaam.
Sanudi also said he had no choice, but to play for the club as well as the nation, despite efforts by Flames coach Ernest Mtawali to have the derby postponed.
“It was not easy to play in the derby. The three [including Miracle Gabeya] of us had crucial assignments, but we will try to put a gallant fight to win the return match at home,” Sanudi said.
Malawi, who returned home yesterday, host Tanzania this Sunday with the overall winner dating Algeria in the next round of the World Cup qualifiers.
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