adminJOHANNESBURG. — Malawi coach Tom Saintfiet works for free, relinquished a bonus, survived a court injunction and has been called “crazy and stupid” ahead of a World Cup soccer qualifier in Nigeria today. A bizarre build-up to the Group F clash in Calabar also saw the 40-year-old Belgian accuse Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi of “racism” and fire his captain and vice-captain.
Endless Saintfiet drama has overshadowed the build-up to a game Malawi must win to reach the final qualifying round at the expense of the 2013 African champions.
“I am 100 percent sure Malawi can reach the World Cup. Togo showed in 2006 that small nations can make it and the time has come for Malawi to make it,” he told reporters in Blantyre.
Tradition and form suggest otherwise as Malawi are ranked 33 in Africa — 28 places below Nigeria — have never beaten the West Africans, and won just one of four warm-up games.
Former Namibia and Ethiopia coach Saintfiet arrived in Malawi last July having agreed to work for free provided he was given a US$10 000 bonus if Malawi eliminated Nigeria.
The Belgian has a strong motive to clip the wings of the “Super Eagles” — he was named technical director by Nigeria last year only for a local to get the job in a change of heart.
While cash-strapped Malawian football officials accepted the offer, one supporter of the “Flames” was so upset he lodged an unsuccessful court injunction.
Captain and midfielder Joseph Kamwendo publicly criticised the bonus, asking how the Belgian could stand to pocket US$10 000 while the players got US$85 win bonuses.
Media and public criticism heightened and the coach backed down, saying he would give the money to charity if Malawi pulled off a shock win.
“I did not come to Malawi for the money — I rejected lucrative offers from clubs in Kenya, Lebanon, South Africa and Tunisia to coach Malawi,” said a ruffled Saintfiet.
The Belgian then questioned why Nigeria selected south-eastern city Calabar as the match venue, and quoted a Commonwealth report that stated it was an unsafe area.
Malawi asked global football governing body Fifa to move the match to capital city Abuja or a neutral country — a move that infuriated 1994 World Cup captain Keshi.
“I think the coach of Malawi is crazy and stupid. If he wants to talk to Fifa, he should go back to Belgium. He is not an African person, he is a white dude.
“All other countries play in Calabar — it is one of the safest places in Nigeria. He is mad and I wish I could say it to his face.”
Saintfiet responded: “It is unacceptable that any person says these words — it is clear racism.
These words create hate and aggression.”
Keshi was unapologetic, saying he had to defend his country against an unwarranted attack, and had lots of white friends, including Belgians from his playing days with Anderlecht.
Long-serving Kamwendo was axed ahead of a friendly in Botswana this week, and after captaining the team to a 1-0 defeat, defender Lucky Malata was dumped.
Former “Super Eagles” striker Jonathan Akpoborie has no doubt about the outcome: “Nigeria are far better than Malawi. They cannot be compared to us.” — AFP.
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