Malawi: Karonga United coach gives bizarre response after loss

A coach for a top-flight league team in Malawi gave a bizzare response when asked if his team was affected by playing under floodlights at Bindu National Stadium in Lilongwe on Saturday.

Karonga United coach Oscar Kaunda refused to blame his team’s 2-1 loss to FCB Nyasa Big Bullets to playing under floodlights, saying they are used to such conditions as he and his players visit bottle stores at night.

Days before the Airtel Top 8 semifinal match, his team’s official had protested the scheduling of the match in the evening, saying the Northern Region-based team’s players were not used playing in the evening.

However, Kaunda left the media in stitches during a post-match conference when he said he and his players have no qualms playing under floodlights as they visit bars on the evening.

“In all all the pre-match interviews, I and my backroom staff did not complain about playing under floodlights,” the coach said.

“If anything that issue came from those in administration.”

The former Civo United trainer then suggested that he and his players would have no problems playing at night as they are used to such conditions since they visit night clubs.

“In any case, I visit bars at night and I am able to differentiate that this is Green, this is Stout [both Carlsberg beer brands] and this one [lady] has too much make up, I should not go for her. It is the same with the boys, they sheak out and also see these things,” Kaunda responded.

During the match, holders Bullets kept their Airtel Top 8 cup defence on track after defeating Karonga

Chikumbutso Salima scored to give Bullets the lead in the 26th minute.

After some sustained pressure, Kaunda’s boys leveled matters with Patrick Phiri dispatching a free-kick into the net in the 52nd minute to bring parity to the proceedings.

However, the People’s Team fought back to restore their one-goal advantage 12 minutes later. Peter Mponda’s side dragged themselves back into the lead with striker Hassan Kajoke scoring after some loose defending by the visitors.

Kaunda’s side tried to come back into the game, but Bullets held on to their slender lead to qualify for the final and wait for the winner of another semifinal between Silver Strikers and Civo Service United on Sunday in Lilongwe.