Kanyenda made Malawi captain, 11 pros jet in
Russian-based striker Esau Kanyenda has been installed as Malawi’s captain ahead of the 2012 African Cup of Nations qualifier against Tunisia and Flames coach Kinnah Phiri can relax Tunisia with the arrival of 11 foreign based players on Monday afternoon.
Europe based strikers Kanyenda and Russel Mwafulirwa joined the squad with hope that Malawi will do well in the match.
South African based Moses Chavula, Robert Ng’ambi, Tawonga Chimodzi, Atusaye Nyondo, Peter Wadabwa, Jacob Ngwira, Davie Banda, Harry Nyirenda, Simplex Nthala touched down at the Chileka International Airport oozing with confidence that Saturday’s tie can go in Flames favour.
“We are prepared to die for our country because we know how crucial this game is to our chances of qualification,” said Kanyenda.
According to a member of the team’s technical panel, Santos defender Peter Mponda, Limbikani Mzava and Spain based Robin Ngalande will jet in on Tuesday.
“We can confidently say that this is almost a full house and we know that competition will be stiff as well which is good on our part,” he said.
Ngalande had a game on Sunday while Mzava was still working on his work permit at his new club Celtic.
On the availability of Peter Mponda on the field of play on Saturday, he confided to Nyasa Times that Santos have released the Flames on field leader so that Malawi’s team doctor should access him and see if he is fit for the game on Saturday.
“Santos have given us a go ahead to access his fitness levels and make a decision on whether to use him or not, this good because we will make our own conclusions that relying on their reports only,” he disclosed.
Meanwhile, Nyasa Times can reveal that Kanyenda has been appointed team captain for the moment to be deputised by South African based Defender Moses Chavula.
Coach Kinnah Phiri told the rest of the players of this development before the Monday afternoon’s training session.
