Malawi names 35-man squad: Kanyenda, Banda earn recall and Gaba included
The Football Association of Malawi (FAM) has released a 35-man squad expected to go into training camp in readiness of the World Cup qualifiers matches against Namibia and Kenya in June at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre.
The squad which has twelve defenders as well as midfielders, ten strikers and three goalkeepers is scheduled to start training from Sunday 12th May 2013 at Chiwembe Technical Centre in Limbe.
In an e-mail to Nyasa Times, FAM general secretary Sugzo Nyirenda said the players are also expected to sign code of conduct before starting camp training.
In the squad, FAM has recalled Flames battle-hardened forward Esau Kanyenda and midfield dynamo John Banda.
The squad, which comprises mainly Super League players, has also included Bullets’ talismanic striker Gabadinho who is likely to miss the World Cup qualifying games against Namibia and Kenya because of school commitments
But Malawi caretaker coach Eddington Ngonamo has justified the inclusion of Gabadinho who is in top form because the Zimbabwe game will be played in May before he starts writing Junior Certificate Examinations (JCE) between June 3 and June 14.
The lists has also included South Africa based professional Essau Black Mamba Kanyenda, who has repossessed his venom to strike goals
Ngonamo said he would like to give a chance to the veteran striker who prides himself as one of a few player in the country to play in Europe, Russia.
“He is a good strikers and he has regained his form. That’s why we have called him,” Ng’onamo said.
“With the absence of Gabadinho we will be looking up to his experience to lead the Flames.”
The following is the full list of players
Goalkeepers;
Owen Chaima (Bullets), Charles Swini (Silver Strikers)and Richard Chipuwa (Mighty Wanderers).
Defenders; Bongani Kaipa, Kondwani Lufeyo, George Nyirenda, Sankhani Mkandawire, Lucky Malata, John Lanjesi, Moses Chavula, Harry Nyirenda Lirnbikani Mzava and James Sangala
Midfilders;Douglas Chirambo, Chimango Kayira, Fisher Kondowe, Ndaziona Chatsalira, Frank Banda, Young Chimodzi Jnr, Midum Mhone, John Banda, Patrick Gunde, Victor Limbani, Joseph Kamwendo and Robert Ng’ambi.
Strikers; Gastin Simukonda Harvey Mkacha, Rodrick Gonani, Moses, Boniface Kaulesi, Peter Wadabwa, Atusaye Nyondo, Zicco Mkanda (Malculmana and Esau Kanyenda
Flames face Namibia on June 5 and Kenya on June 12 at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre following the approval of the stadium by Fifa.
The Flames put themselves back in the race after beating Namibia 1-0 after Gabadinho’s only goal in March.
They tie on five points with group F leaders Nigeria, who have a better goal aggregate.
Strength testing match
Meanwhile, FAM said the friendly match against Zimbabwe National Team was confirmed by the Zimbabwe
Football Association (ZIFA) in a letter dated 19th April 2013.
“The friendly match was agreed before COSAFA Senior Challenge draw which paired Malawi and Zimbabwe in quarter finals. The COSAFA draw was conducted on 3rd May 2013. It is expected that the 30 member Zimbabwe
delegation will arrive in Malawi by road at the date and time to be advised in due course,” FAM said.
FAM said it will print tickets for all the three matches and gate charges will be announced by Monday next week.
Only 17,000 tickets for each match are expected to be printed and there will be ticket presales at designated places
and the Security Plan for the two World Cup games will tested during the Zimbabwe friendly match.
