| |
Africa Cup of Nations Focus - Angolan FA ‘conspiracy’ adds fuel to the Flames
Angola and the tournament’s organising authorities have attracted fresh controversy this week after Malawi claimed they were the victim of a conspiracy after losing 2-0 to the hosts.
Malawi’s accusations are based on a belief that they were denied a training ground in the two days leading up to their match against Angola on Thursday. According to Charles Nyirenda, general secretary of the Malawi FA, the Flames had been refused access to training facilities on three separate occasions since their first game. Malawi were given the same training facilities as the Angola national team, however, the transition failed to go smoothly, according to Nyirenda: “We waited for Angola to finish training and we went to go in, and they said 'no, the ground belongs to the club, you can't train' and the police kicked us out.” Agitation is said to have escalated to fury after they were forced to cancel evening training on Wednesday when they found a local team - Desportivo Inter Club - playing on the pitch they were allocated. The Malawi management refuse to believe that the training debacle was simply a case of incompetent organisation.
Indeed, Nyirenda has filed a complaint to the Confederation of African Football (CAF) with the expressed belief that their preparations had been purposely sabotaged for the hosts’ gain: “From events that have unfolded, it is clear there was a conspiracy to disrupt the training of Malawi in order to give undue advantage to Angola. We feel that the Angolan FA deliberately worked it so that Angola are in the quarter-finals. Our team do not deserve the psychological warfare and torture they have been subjected to.” On Friday, CAF spokesman Souleymane Habuba confirmed the organisation had received a letter of complaint from Malawi: “The organising committee will definitely look at the content of the letter and then based on the information that they have, they will definitely take an appropriate decision.” It remains unclear whether the Malawians will face further training problems ahead of their crucial final group game.
The loss to Angola (conceding second-half goals to Flavio and Manucho) represented a distinct anti-climax for the Flames after a scintillating 3-0 victory over World Cup qualifiers Algeria in their opening group game. It was one of the biggest upsets in recent African Nations Cup history and sent the Malawian nation into raptures - taxis and buses were reportedly offering passengers rides for free all day. To gain passage into the knockout stages, Malawi must channel their frustration into a victory on Monday against Mali, a team desperate for their first win. Having been absent from the Africa Cup of Nations for 26 years, such an event would mark a colossal achievement for Malawi. Indeed, Coach Kinnah Phiri accepts that Monday’s clash will be “the biggest game ever in Malawi's history. Reaching the last eight would be everything for us and make the whole nation proud.” A glance at their recent form certainly suggests the south-east African nation may have the pedigree to make a name for themselves if they reach the latter stages - a phenomenal run in qualification saw them notch up a win and a draw against Egypt and Ivory Coast respectively. “After beating Egypt, we built up so much confidence that we are no longer shaken no matter who we play,” stated the bullish Phiri. Despite his optimism, the trainer is fully aware that the legacy of the training fiasco has the potential to scupper the all-important clash against Mali: “It's difficult. I have to work on the players' minds for the last game, because they now feel that the tournament is not being run properly, and it's favouring other teams. I've told the guys to keep cool and be strong. We still have a wonderful opportunity.”
The big freeze across Europe last week spilled over to African Nations affairs. It was not just commuters cursing the disruptive weather that bombarded Britain last week - the Ghanaian national team were also none too pleased with the untimely snow showers. Michael Essien, who had planned to join his teammates in Cabinda on Sunday, was stranded in England after his scheduled departure from London was severely delayed. Essien eventually arrived on Wednesday morning. Having such a short period of recovery from the long haul flight (4320 miles), two days before the big match against the Ivory Coast, is less than ideal for any player. It was especially unfortunate for Essien who has been nursing a hamstring injury for the past month. Essien was left cursing his luck once more on Friday night after he picked up an injury to his right knee in a challenge with Chelsea teammate Didier Drogba. With all three substitutions made before the incident, stand-in captain Essien was forced to limp through the remainder of the game. The severity of the injury appears to have escalated during a training session on Sunday after which he was taken to hospital for tests. Essien’s absence from the starting line-up against Burkino Faso appears a distinct possibility. The robust centre-midfielder has always been at the apex of Ghana’s African Nations aspirations and this latest set-back could not have come at a worse time - if the Black Stars fail to beat the Burkinabe on Tuesday, the World Cup finalists will make a shock exit from the Nations Cup.
Nigerian Coach Shuaibu Amodu breathed a sigh of relief on Saturday after a 1-0 victory over Benin. Amodu was rumoured to have been told only a win would save his job. A penalty from Everton striker Yakubu was enough to secure the three points in what was otherwise a dour game that suggested the Super Eagles are unlikely to mount a credible challenge for the African Nations crown. After being exposed heavily at the back in their 3-1 loss to Egypt, Nigeria still looked uncertain in defence. Most notably, Chelsea holding midfielder Jon Obi Mikel and Everton centre back Joseph Yobo look increasingly indecisive in possession. After the match Amodu touched on the divisive atmosphere that pervades the Nigerian camp: “We did come into this game with a crisis of confidence in our camp and we had to tread carefully. The most important is the three points.” Amodu refused to be drawn on whether he had the confidence of the Nigerian FA. The fact that his employers sounded out Guus Hiddink last November is perhaps answer enough.
See the full list of OLBG's free Football Tips here.
Related Articles
| |