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 At just 27-years-old Russian based striker Esau Kanyenda decided to quit playing for the Flames after being annoyed by criticism from the public for his failure to score in the 2010 World Cup and Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Burkina Faso here at home and Guinea in Conakry.
Kanyenda had been under such spotlight because reports were saying the Flames should not have lost both games and many critics believed the striker should have done better to show the scoring instinct he is believed to possess.
Despite calls from other quarters asking him to rescind his decision, the player went back to Russia and kept quiet and coach Kinnah Phiri decided not to call him.
That time hopes of qualifying for the Africa Cup of Nations were slim but suddenly the chances were revived after beating Guinea and drawing with Cote d’Ivoire to displace Guinea from position three in group E.
The Flames can qualify for Angola finals if they beat Burkina Faso on November 14 in Ouagadougou but in the event that they draw or lose they would hope that Cote d’Ivoire beat Guinea in Abidjan.
Cote d’Ivoire have promised to use a full strength squad and aim for a win rather than relax since they have already qualified for both the World Cup in South Africa and the Nations Cup in Angola.
Kanyenda has now come out of the shell and apologised to Fam, the coach and the team and asks to be considered for future games but many people are sneering the apology, saying the player wants to come back just because the Flames have revived their fortunes of qualifying for the Nations Cup.
Debates in every corner of the country believe Kanyenda wants to grab this opportunity so that should Flames qualify, he should try and shine in Angola so that agents can spot him and offer him better packages in other European leagues.
Others see the development positively, arguing that Kanyenda should be considered should the Flames qualify so that the team should have a deep bench at the tournament.
Angola-based teammate James Sangala says having him in the team can boost their morale and even the team’s fortunes.
“We definitely need his services because of his vast experience and international exposure but Kinnah has to assess him just like any other player to fit into the squad. I hope we will not repeat [the mistake of quitting in anger],” he said.
Swaziland-based Flames fan Tiyamika Chunga also gave her total support for Kanyenda’s comeback, saying “we need to do whatever we can in order to get our team to qualify for Angola and if that means getting Kanyenda back in with Kinnah, then that is what needs to be done.”
Limbani Magomero was neutral in his comment, saying the public should not do Kinnah’s job because it will just create unnecessary tension in camp and with Fam.
“It is a fact that Kanyenda is a complete product by our standards,” he continued. “He may have gone through a dry spell but how many assists did he provide of the goals we scored.
“Let’s blend the team wherever we can. Let’s not be emotional. Kanyenda has apologised and should be welcomed back. Let’s take it at face value.”
Former Fam president Sunduzwayo Madise says no single player should ever be bigger than the whole team because the moment that happens the team spirit collapses.
“Inevitably, some players are better than others but it is those players who should be more humble and be examples to the others as role models to the younger generation,” he said.
“As for Esau, I thought the criticism of his performance was rather harsh including from the coach and the public seemed to have jumped the bandwagon. But we must not be naive, Esau is in his twilight zone and he cannot consistently perform at the highest level in each game.
“He will have bad spells and I am sure this was one of them but having said that Esau should have known where his bread is buttered. A soccer player must develop a thick skin, especially against us hungry supporters who are always thirsting for success, even against all odds.
He continued to say that should the Flames qualify for Angola, Kanyenda would indeed be needed but was quick to add that the public should not rub it in since the coach seems to have buried the hatchet and can recall the player.
“Let us rally behind him because he needs us more than ever. Let us remember that when Djibouti was massacred [in the second round] it was Esau’s name on all our lips. We will need Esau and all our best players if we are to make a mark in Angola,” Madise said.
Kanyenda started his career with Dwasco and quickly rose to prominence and was roped in by Jomo Cosmos in South Africa where he was for three years, scoring 26 goals.
In 2003, he moved to Russia for FC Rostov and after two years he scored 10 goals in 46 appearances. Last year he joined FC Kamaz where he is still at and have five goals to his credit in 19 appearances.
His exploits excited the Russian fans that they nicknamed him the Black Mamba.
In 2006, he was honoured when he was appointed bid ambassador when Russian Black Sea resort city of Sochi was bidding to host the 2014 Winter Olympics.
World tennis star Russian Maria Sharapova was also used as bid ambassador and Sochi eventually won the bid.
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