Bafana Bafana legend Fish explains World Cup qualification secret
Bafana Bafana legend Mark Fish has disclosed the secret for Cosafa teams to increase their World Cup qualification prospects.
Fish said Southern Africa member associations must invest in a ‘fast and quicker’ football philosophy. He believes it must be introduced at the youth level for it to translate at senior level.
Southern Africa (Cosafa) teams struggle to qualify for AFCON and World Cup finals. There is actually none at the ongoing 2022 Qatar World Cup.
The Orlando Pirates legend said there was a need for “more teams from Cosafa to qualify for AFCON and the World Cup.”
Fish said this ahead of his trip to Malawi to conduct a youth football coaching clinic alongside former Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Chancy Gondwe.
The former Bolton Wanderers defender said his involvement in the two-day Fast Footie Under-16 tournament in Lilongwe is to “make them aware of how the game should be played.”
“The objective is to change the game, make the game quicker, faster and encourage the kids to shoot,” he told the FAM website
Fish arrives in Lilongwe on Thursday afternoon to join forces with Gondwe in drilling boys and girls this weekend.
WHY FISH IS EXCITED TO WORK WITH EX-SUNDOWNS STAR
The former Charlton Athletic stalwart said he was looking forward to working with Gondwe.
“I am excited to work with Chancy Gondwe. He is Malawi legend and Cosafa region legend; the player I respect very much,” he said.
The 48-year-old is probably the best ball-playing centre-back South Africa has ever produced. The ex-Jomo Cosmos centre-back won the 1996 AFCON with Bafana Bafana.
His club career also took him to Lazio in Italy’s Serie A.
Gondwe, who like Fish played in the PSL from mid to late 1990s, said he was looking forward to share knowledge with the youth.
Cosafa and Football Association of Malawi (FAM) will host the event as a precursor to the COSAFA Under-17 Boys and Girls Championships.
The championship is scheduled for Lilongwe from December 1 to 11 as part of the AUSC Region 5 Youth Games.
WHAT FAST FOOTIE IS ALL ABOUT
FAM Competitions Director Gomezgani Zakazaka said the two-day event will take place at Bishop Mackenzie International High School.
“We have eight boys’ teams and eight girls’ teams. The girls will play on Saturday while the boys will play on Sunday,” he said.
“Fast Footie is a new form of the game that will help budding footballers in the Under-16 age group develop their skills. Matches are shorter, about 20 minutes each half.”
This sort of tournament has interesting rules, like a goal scored from outside the 18-yard box being counted as two goals.
The Boys’ teams have been drawn from the Lilongwe District M’mera Mpoyamba Under -16 League and academies in Lilongwe.
The teams will play on a knockout basis starting from quarterfinals. Four winners will proceed to the semifinals and then the final. There will also be a plate section for four losing quarterfinalists.
BOYS TEAMS
Play Football Malawi, Ascent Soccer Academy, Namasala Soccer Academy, Villa FC, Mpira M’mudzi Mwathu, Ticktack FC, Grassroot Football Academy and Soccer Saints.
GIRLS TEAMS
Ascent Soccer Academy, Mpira M’mudzi Mwathu, Chisomo Academy, Hungry Lions, MDF Lioness, Chilinde, Kamuzu Institute and DD Sunshine.
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