Malawi regroup for Tanzania tie in World Cup qualifiers

The Malawi national football team aka the Flames regrouped on Monday in readiness for the 2018 World Cup preliminary qualifiers against Tanzania’s Taifa Stars.

The 25-member locally based squad is on training camp at Chiwembe Technical Centre in Blantyre.

The players looked composed and determined during their first day training session as head coach Ernest Mtawali and his assistant Nswazirimo Ramadan were drilling them.

Winners of Malawi and Tanzania will face Highest-ranked African team Algeria, who took eventual 2014 world champions Germany to extra time in a last-16 clash in Brazil.

The two-leg first-round ties are scheduled to be played between October 5 and 13 with the second-round fixtures to be staged between November 9 and 17 this year.

Places in the group stage await the 20 second-round winners with the five table-toppers going to Russia.

Mtawali has called up two more new faces, midfielders Levison Maganizo and Kondwani Kumwenda of Fisd Wizards and Be Forward Wanderers respectively.

Returning to the squad are defender Miracle Gabeya (Big Bullets), midfielder Harvey Nkacha (Kamuzu Barracks) and striker Luka Milanzi (Wanderers).

According to Football Association of Malawi (FAM) general secretary Suzgo Nyirenda, the Flames could face either Uganda or Kenya in a friendly match enroute to Tanzania.

Following is the full squad: Goalkeepers: Bright Munthali, Juma Chikwenga and Richard Chipuwa; Defenders: Stanley Sanudi, Pililani Zonda, Yamikani Fodya, Emmanuel Zoya, John Lanjesi, Gabeya, Wonder Jelemani, Chisomo Mpachika; Midfielders: Isaac Kaliati, John CJ Banda, Yamikani Chester, Dalitso Sailesi, Chikoti Chirwa, Levison Maganizo, Kumwenda and Nkacha; Strikers: Chiukepo Msowoya, Manase Chiyesa, Deus Nkutu, Muhammed Sulumba, Green Harawa and Milanzi

The Flames will take on Tanzania away in Dar es Salaam on October 7 while the return leg is slated for four days later at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre.