LaasteGeruchten
09-06-2007, 15:30
(Daily Times) A top official for the visiting Senegal national team, who are slowly developing a strong bond with their Malawian counterparts, has offered vital advice to the Flames on what they should expect from the Atlas Lions on June 16 in the swim or sink 2008 African Nations Cup qualifier.
Senegal Football Federation second vice-president Bunama Dieye, one of the few officials in the 46-member delegation able to communicate in English, said the Flames were capable of springing a shocker in the group 12 clash at Kamuzu Stadium.
“I believe the Flames have everything it takes for them to upset a giant like Morocco, why not?” He said in an interview from Lilongwe where his delegation is camping at Cresta Cross-Roads Hotel.
“There is nothing like a small team in modern football. If Uganda could beat Nigeria 2-1 and Mauritania held reigning African champions Egypt over the weekend, what can prevent the Flames from also pulling a surprise?”
But Dieye, whose entourage arrived in the country on a private jet offered by their president Abdulaye Wadi, cautioned that Malawi should be prepared to suffer against Morocco, who lead the group with seven points and just need a point to earn their trip to Ghana finals.
“They [Flames] should be ready to run the whole 90 minutes,” he advised the second-placed Flames.
“They should try as much as possible to avoid conceding set pieces, especially free kicks, concentrate every minute of the game…watch their every single movement with and off the ball.”
He added: “Most players for North African team are tricky, so expect them to fall down at every slight contact and this could be dangerous especially in the penalty area.”
Free valuable advice in indeed! The Senegalese, whose 13-day camp in Lilongwe would cost Fam K6 million, seem to be earning their stay in Malawi.
The Lions of Teranga would play a strength testing match against the Flames this Sunday at Kamuzu Stadium before proceeding to Mozambique next Friday for a group 7 clash against the Mambas on June 17.
Senegal Football Federation second vice-president Bunama Dieye, one of the few officials in the 46-member delegation able to communicate in English, said the Flames were capable of springing a shocker in the group 12 clash at Kamuzu Stadium.
“I believe the Flames have everything it takes for them to upset a giant like Morocco, why not?” He said in an interview from Lilongwe where his delegation is camping at Cresta Cross-Roads Hotel.
“There is nothing like a small team in modern football. If Uganda could beat Nigeria 2-1 and Mauritania held reigning African champions Egypt over the weekend, what can prevent the Flames from also pulling a surprise?”
But Dieye, whose entourage arrived in the country on a private jet offered by their president Abdulaye Wadi, cautioned that Malawi should be prepared to suffer against Morocco, who lead the group with seven points and just need a point to earn their trip to Ghana finals.
“They [Flames] should be ready to run the whole 90 minutes,” he advised the second-placed Flames.
“They should try as much as possible to avoid conceding set pieces, especially free kicks, concentrate every minute of the game…watch their every single movement with and off the ball.”
He added: “Most players for North African team are tricky, so expect them to fall down at every slight contact and this could be dangerous especially in the penalty area.”
Free valuable advice in indeed! The Senegalese, whose 13-day camp in Lilongwe would cost Fam K6 million, seem to be earning their stay in Malawi.
The Lions of Teranga would play a strength testing match against the Flames this Sunday at Kamuzu Stadium before proceeding to Mozambique next Friday for a group 7 clash against the Mambas on June 17.