He said it- Kinnah Phiri- that Malawi would never lose to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) on home soil. On Saturday, October 11, it came to be, as Malawi beat favourites, the DRC, 2-1 at the giant Kamuzu Stadium to book a slot to the second round of the World Cup/Africa Nations Cup zone qualification phase.
It was the DRC team that drew first blood in the third minute, through Lomana Lua Lua, forcing a Jacket-dressed Phiri to put it out and remain with a white shirt against a pair of black trousers. Malawi supporters joked that he looked like a confused village choirmaster.
That look left him in the second half, when Malawi equalized through Robert Ng’ambi and Chiukepo Msowoya respectively, sending the Cathedral mute 35, 000 capacity stadium into rapture as fans jumped and hugged.
The Flames’ mentor described the victory as a ‘Division of Labour’ judgment on the DRC boys; meaning, “these people are experts in Kwasa Kwasa music and Dombolo, they should concentrate on that and leave soccer to countries like Malawi”. Quite some tough talk from a coach who, just a week ago, suffered a humiliating 3-0 thumbing at the hands of Bafana Bafana.
Now was difference, in both scenery and time, that Phiri could manage to joke over it, saying the 3-1 loss was a “tactical move”, aimed at fooling the DRC.
“Can’t you see, that DRC abandoned plans to camp in South Africa in preparation for this match, and that they arrived in the country just a day before the match? It really shows that our tactical plans have been effective,” said Phiri, the sweat that gave his forehead company during the first half, when DRC dominated play, long gone. In its place sat the unmistakable joy of relief and hope.
DRC Coach, Patrice Neveau, who could hardly believe and breathe, attributed the loss to bad luck and complacency on part of his charges. Yet, just on Monday this week, he mocked the Flames in the DRC press, saying his team played better than Malawi during the first game, played in DRC, and that he saw no reason to lose to Malawi.
Neveau added that, even in Blantyre, his team played better than the hosts and that, if the DRC FA gave him another chance, he would build a formidable side for the country.
“These things happen. I must make one thing clear here, and that is that we never underrated Malawi; we were just saying the truth, which, as expected, pained Malawi. Good luck,” said Neveau, a man visibly unsure of what tomorrow may bring.
His future hangs in the balance because of the Blantyre defeat, a sharp contrast to the bright, sunny day that was October 11. The future hangs on a chewing gum string because, this day, fate had a face and a name: 2-1.
However, the match between the two Southern African Development Community (SADC) member states was marred by ugly scenes, as Malawi and DRC officials scuffled and fought on the goal line because of allegations that bordered on Muti.
One of DRC’s officials, a very short man in his early thirties, splayed powder and water on the goal posts, a development that angered Malawi officials, who replicated the gesture by doing the same.
At one point, a DRC player splayed water on the net, and had to push Malawian offiacials who wanted to stop him. It had to take Malawi Police Service officers to calm the situation, as they reprimanded the feuding parties.
Otherwise Blantyre, and the whole of Malawi, was in happiness mood, as seen by consistent hooting by motorists. In Blantyre City Centre, Group 4 Securicor guards sang on top of their voices, in praise of the Flames’ victory, a development that forced observers to joke that their merry mood would give armed robbers a chance to go on the lose.
Two naked men danced jigs in the stadium as helpless, bemused Police watched in silence, albeit with faint smiles. One of them was also busy dancing, as Lua Lua and friends boarded a Bus that may take them to the unknown. After all, will players like him be there when another World Cup qualification campaign avails itself?
The 2-1 loss is the future unknown for DRC, who now have to gather the crumbs, and hope- that one day, there will be another chance- as Neveau said in conclusion.