Malawi coach ecstatic about win

SOCCER - MALAWI National Team coach Steve Constantine breathed a sigh of relief when his team beat Sihlangu SeMnikati 3 - 0 in a friendly game at the Trade Fair ground yesterday.

This is because back at home Constantine was given the game to prove why his contract should be renewed.

Interviewed soon after the game, he said his contract renewal was not the issue with him as he had prepared well enough to win the game not to protect his contract.

He said the win had boosted the players’ confidence in preparation for the 2010 World Cup Qualifiers. “I did not worry that much about my contract because I knew that they would be forced to pay me at the end of the day should they force me out.

"But, I can confirm to you that I am happy that am now on the safer side back home because of a number of things that I would not like to get into details of. I was impressed with my team’s performance and am nursing hopes that they will keep to it or even make it better in the qualifiers,” he said.

Constantine decided to play his cards close to his chest when asked to comment about the refereeing as he was constantly passing remarks whenever referee Frank Mlangeni made a judgement.

“I cannot comment on that one but can assure you that no matter how much money can be put in front of me I can never be a referee, mainly because I do not want to see someone hurt.

"Referees always make sure that someone is hurt at the end of each game and fortunately, that does not only happen in Swaziland but all over the world, so I have no comment about the local refereeing,” he said.

He also denied to give his observation about the local squad in as far as readiness for the Qualifiers is concerned, saying that was the coach’s work to do.

“I can thank the local team as they gave us a good and competitive preparatory game that has brought my players together and positive. We will not be the same team again, thanks to Sihlangu that has boosted our confidence.

"I am looking forward to many other games with my squad and optimistic that we will do better,” he said.

Meanwhile, it was not the first time the two teams meet this year as Sihlangu won by a solitary goal in the COSAFA Castle Cup group third place play-off in May.