Pressure is mounting for Flames coach Ronny Van Geneugden to start delivering results, but the Belgian mentor feels he has made tremendous strides in steering ship of Malawi football to safety.

There is public outrage back home after RVG failed to make it to the quarter-finals for the second consecutive time following a 1-1 draw against Botswana on Wednesday and a 1-0 loss to 161-ranked Mauritius on Monday.

The Flames now face Angola at Peter Mokaba Stadium on Friday in what is a dead rubber match for them.

So far, RVG’s record is now at two wins, eight draws and four losses and back home people are calling for the coach’s head.

But RVG insists that he is on the right track in rebuilding the team and results will come later.

“I think when you talk about rebuilding process you are talking of a progress and results. I think this tournament has showed that we are on the right track, but that we have a lot of work to do on finishing.

“If you don’t create chances during the game, then you have a problem. But if we count chances against Mauritius and Botswana, I believe that we are on the right track,” said RVG.

Asked to point at tangible progress during his first year of his contract, RVG cited Under-17 and Under-20 national team’s achievements.

“If we talk of progress, last year we took bronze medal at Cosafa Under-17 and this year we are close to Under-20 African Cup of Nations [Afcon] qualification finals for next year in Niger as we play South Africa.

“So, I think we are making good progress that gives Malawi football hope for the future and that’s what we have to build on. I am sure that if we stick together the results will come at the end,” said RVG.

By Joy Ndovi