Saintfeit unveils Malawi squad: Axes Fischer, recalls Kanyenda, Gaba

Malawi coach Tom Saintfiet  has lived up to his word to carry out a radical overhaul of the national football  squad  when  he announced a Tuesday the call-up ahead of a friendly against Rwanda, dropping eight players, including Fischer Kondowe and Simplex Nthala.

The announcement was made at a joint news conference with Football Association of Malawi (FAM)  president Walter Nyamilandu at the Chiwembe Technical Centre in Blantyre.

“Bongani Kayipa, Douglas Chirambo, George Nyirenda, Boniface Kaulesi and Dave Banda have the talent but will not go to Rwanda because we want to see different players,” said Saintfiet.

South Africa based striker Atusaye Nyondo was also dropped.

Fischer Kondowe : Declared surplus to requirement s
Fischer Kondowe : Declared surplus to requirement s

Saintfiet said he wanted ‘ambitious players’ to help the Flames  qualify for next year’s World Cup in Brazil.

He explained that the axed  players who were in the 2013 Cosafa Cup Malawi squad were dropped due to indiscipline and under-performance.

The 40-year-old  tacticiansaid the only chance of success  for Malawi is to make changes.

He pointed out that the out-of-favour players “may be recalled for the Nigeria game.”

Saintfiet has handed a recall to hot-shot striker Gabadinho Mhango, Phillip Masiye and Lucky Malata among the eight home based players.

Mozambique based defender Foster Namwela and veteran striker Esau Kanyenda has made a return to the Flames.

“The reason I have picked these players is because we will be playing away and I need players who can adapt to my tactical demands. We need players that are matured. Maturity is not only about age, it’s also about experience,” he said.

“I am not always a coach who tries to please the fans. I would like to be told; coach what a bad football was that, but congratulations we won the match. I am that kind of coach,”Saintfiet said i.

Full squad for Rwanda: Charles Swini, Owen Chaima, James Sangala, Moses Chavula, Harry Nyirenda, John Lanjesi, Limbikani Mzava, Lucky Malata, Foster Namwela, Joseph Kamwendo, Robert Ng’ambi, Chimango Kayira, Phillip Masiye, Micium Mhone, Peter Wadabwa, Chiukepo Msowoya, Robin Ngalande, John Banda, Gabadinho Mhango, Esau Kanyenda.

The friendly match will be played on August 14th while the qualifying game is scheduled for September 7th away.

The team leaves via Nairobi, Kenya where the local players will be joined by the foreign based players.

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