Malawi axe captain, Saintfiet irked with ‘white dude’ slurs by Nigeria’s Keshi
Malawi national team coach Tom Saintfiet has named a preliminary 23-member squad for next month’s World Cup qualifier in Nigeria with Mozambique based captain Joseph Kamwendo dropped.
Kamwendo has since been replaced by Greece-based Tawonga Chimodzi.
Malawi leaves for Botswana on September 1 then for Abidjan then Calabar on September 4.
Nigeria – lead the group on nine points and can qualify to the final qualifying round for a place at the World Cup with a draw – released their main 18-member squad of foreign based players. Malawi, on seven points, need a win as the only option to qualify
Meanwhile, Saintfiet will report to world soccer governing body FIFA against Nigerian coach Stephen Keshi on racisim charges.
The Nigeria coach called Saintfeit “a white dude who should go back to Belgium”..
Saintfiet told BBC Sport he is “shocked” by Keshi’s comments and could also lead to trouble at the qualifier.
“These comments are unacceptable and I am very sad about them,” he said.
The pair have been arguing since Malawi asked Fifa to move next month’s crucial World Cup qualifier from Calabar for safety reasons.
Saintfeit said his lwayers will lodge a protdst to FIFA, saying Keshi’s comments were “clear racism.”
Flames full squad: Owen Chaima (Big Bullets), Charles Swini (Silver Strikers), James Sangala (free agent), Moses Chavula (Costa do Sol), Harry Nyirenda (Black Leopards), John Langesi (Civo United), Limbikani Mzava (Bloemfontein Celtic), George Nyirenda (Big Bullets), Lucky Malata (Silver Strikers), Foster Namwera (Ferroviaro de Nampula, Mozambique), Chimango Kayira (Big Bullets), Robert N’gambi (Platinum Stars), Dave Banda (Kamuzu Barracks),Tawonga Chimodzi (Greece), Phillip Masiye (Blue Eagles),Micium Mhone (Blue Eagles), Douglas Chirambo (Big Bullets), Peter Wadabwa (Golden Arrows),Chiukepo Msowoya (Maxaquene),Robin Ngalande (Wits University),Gabadinho Mhango (Big Bullets), Atusaye Nyondo (University of Pretoria), John C.J. Banda (Blue Eagles).
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