Internet reacts to Dalitso Sailesi’s MOTM interview

Starlet Dalitso Sailesi was made Man of the Match (MOTM) in Malawi’s barren draw against Mauritius last night, but the internet bears miscellaneous points of views pertaining to his live television interview after the match at the ongoing Cosafa Castle Cup tournament in South Africa.

The Nyasa Big Bullets star was a marvel to watch throughout the encounter no wonder he was named man of the match.

While he is trending on social media as having produced a stunning performance, Sailesi is also being mocked as well as being defended by a cross section of Malawians for switching to Chichewa during the interview run in English by a female SuperSport presenter.

Sailesi staggered in making to the initial two questions posed to him before he replied to the very last question in his vernacular language Chichewa.

Some posts on Facebook were so swift to brand the attacker an illiterate while others argued English is not a measure of intelligence and that it is not superior of other languages in the world.

Others however feel there should have been a provision of an interpreter during the interview just like what happened to Mauritius coach Joe Tshupula who followed to answer questions live.

As monitored on the television, Football Association of Malawi (FAM) Competitions and Media Manager Gomezgani Zakazaka neared the board where the interview was taking place perhaps to help in interpreting for Sailesi but the player had moved a little away during the presentation of the miniature.

Others felt Sailesi needed to have asked for an interpreter.

A quick tap in on Google places both Chichewa and English as Malawi’s official languages.

But the social media has reacted differently to this issue.

Staninho Juma posted on Facebook: ‘’Dalitso Sailesi reminds me of my secondary school days, we had people fluent in English but bad in class.

“English is just a language and not a measure of intelligence.
#IstandWithDalitso’’

Other went to the extent of saying what matters is the player is talented and got money for the accolade.

TV personality Big Lu shared that view: ‘’Being man of the match, Dalitso Sailesi received more cash than the salary of 70% of the working class (including graduates) in Malawi.: “Inu odziwa chizungu turn your good English into cash,” he posted.

Musician Gwamba also picked his stand on the matter.
“Lionel Messi does not speak English during interviews and I have never seen even a single Malawian laugh about it or mock him. However, Messi was born in a country with lots of resources but people choose to respect and value his talent.
“When a Malawian player, (mind you Malawi is one of the poorest countries in the world) speak Chichewa during an interview, Malawians choose to laugh and mock him. English is not a weapon used to measure someone’s success or intelligence. OPEN YOUR EYES. Big up Dalitso Sailesi and thank you for representing our country well,” said Gwamba

Mima Tammy Ossy wrote: “Plz for those who are criticizing Dalitso Sailesi for failing to speak English, criticize him in English, for us to know that you are better than him, why criticize in Chichewa? Clear indication that u r idiots”

MORE OF THE POSTS HERE. 

Sailesi has lately been nicknamed Angello Di Maria after the Argentinian and Paris Saint German attacker for his tricks on the field of play.

Malawi next play Angola on Thursday.

They lost 0-2 in the opener against Tanzania.

The Flames must beat Angola at all costs if they are to progress to the next round and at the same time, hoping for Tanzania and Angola to drop points.

Only the group winner will make it to the quarterfinal stage where they will play host nation South Africa.