Malawi names foreign legion for Chad tie
The Football Association of Malawi ( FAM) in conjunction with Flames coach Kinnah Phiri have released a 10 foreign based players scheduled to join the Malawi squad on Sunday on their route to N’djamed, Chad for the Africa Cup of Nations qualifier first leg encounter.
The professionals comprised of a goalkeeper, three defenders, three strikers and two midfielders will not come to Malawi instead they will join the team in Nairobi, Kenya.
On the list, Kinnah has called Mozambican based Flames first choice goalkeeper Simplex Nthara, Angolan based sweeper James ‘Shareholder’ Sangala, Atletico Madrid skillful striker Robin Ngalande.
He has also calledthe following South African based Moses ‘Luba’ Chavula, Limbikani ‘Pupa’ Mzava, Dave ‘Abambo’ Banda, Tawonga Chimodzi, Peter Wadabwa, Atusaye Nyondo and Platinum Stars hit-man Chiukepo Msowoya.
However, Phiri will miss the services of his seven key players due to injuries, trials and lack of game time.
For instance, the following players have been excluded in the squad due to injuries, Santos and Flames captain Peter ‘Mjojo’ Mponda, Platinum Stars engine room Robert ‘Baggio’ Ng’ambi and Black Leopards skipper Harry ‘Nuno’ Nyirenda while Flames vast experienced striker Esau ‘Black Mamba’ Kanyenda is on trials with an Angolan top side on a pre-season campaign in South Africa.
“We would like to inform you all that Robert, Harry and Peter will not travel due to injuries while Esau Kanyenda is undergoing trials with an Angolan club which will last for 2 weeks,” reads a statement from FAM signed by its Chief Executive Officer Sugzo Nyirenda.
The statement did not mention anything Flames experienced right back Elvis Kafoteka, who is in Thailand at a certain club and Flames gangling striker Russell Mwafulirwa, who is yet to sign for any team in South Africa. Another player who was not mentioned is Victor Nyirenda.
However, nine locally based players, who are in camp are expected to be selected on Friday to travel to N’djamena on Sunday.
Some of the notable locally based who are in camp are Silver Strikers midfielder Frank Banda, Mighty Wanderers genius midfielder Joseph ‘Shakira’ Kamwendo, Foster Namwera, Harvey Nkacha, Clement Mvula, lion theartened left back Francis Mlimbika, Amadu Ali, Pilirani Makupe, Charles Swini, Chimango Kaira, Ishmael Thindwa and John Banda.
“It is expected that the National Coach will release the names of 9 Locally based players on Friday 24th February 2012 who will travel With 6 officials to Tchad via Nairobi”, reads the statement.
However, Flames coach has assured Malawians that even though the team will miss the services of some key players there is no need to press the panic button.
“This will give a chance to locally based players to prove their point. Malawians should not worry at all and instead lam urging them to give support to these young lads and pray for us,” said Phiri.
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