RVG defends Flames’ Cosafa Cup performance

…disappointed not to score goals

Despite playing 360 minutes without scoring even an offside goal at Cosafa Castle Cup in South Africa, Flames head coach Ronny Van Geneudgen has defended his charges saying the team’ performance was very promising.

Speaking during a press briefing held at Mpira Village in Chiwembe on Wednesday morning, the Belgian tactician defended his tactics in all the three matches the team played but he was quick to admit that failure to score goals at the tournament disappointed him.

The team was booted out of the competition in the group stages after losing 2-nil to Tanzania before playing to two goalless draws against Mauritius and Angola respectively.

However, RVG said the overall performance from the team was very positive.

“When we played Tanzania, our players were very excited especially in the first 25 minutes and some of the players were very nervous hence conceding those two goals but after talking to them, I saw changes in the style of play to the extent of controlling ball possession in the entire remaining minutes.

“The performance against Mauritius was very good, chances were created, the players were able to create spaces but the efficiency was not there in the 18 yard box.

“However, the disappointing part of the whole tournament was our failure to score goals in a tournament where the team created lot’s of goal scoring opportunities,” he explained.

On the way forward, Van Geneudgen said:”We can continue from where we stopped with these players. The FA should organise friendly matches on FIFA calendar where both professional players and local based players will gel by playing more matches.

“We must also participate at the upcoming Under 20 Cosafa Castle Cup in December and we must also participate at Cecafa tournament in November,” he said.

The press briefing was conducted just days after Sports Minister Henry Mussa blasted Football Association of Malawi (FAM) for the shambolic performance by the team at Cosafa.

The minister also blasted RVG saying his predecessor Ernest Mtawali was far much better than the expatriate.

Under his tenure, RVG has only managed to register one win in seven matches, losing three times and drawing three matches.