Malawi releases final squad for Nigeria: Snubs captain Kamwendo
The Football Association of Malawi (FAM) has released a list of 22 players who are expected to travel to Botswana on Saturday for a friendly match scheduled for Wednesday next week.
Flames captain Joseph Kamwendo is conspicuously missing on the list of the 22-member squad, which has also left out experienced strikers Esau Kanyenda, Chiukepo Msowoya and first choice goalkeeper Simplex Nthala.
Kamwendo has been at loggerheads with controversial Flames ‘volunteer’ expatriate coach Tom Saintfiet after criticising Fam for deciding to dangle US$US10,000 bonus for him leaving out the players.
He also snubbed Flames call-up to face Rwanda in an international friendly game played on August 14 in which Malawi won 1-0.
Football Association of Malawi General Secretary Suzgo Nyirenda , however, said Chiukepo was left out after suffering an injury.
The Mozambican based injury-prone striker was ruled out of the Rwanda friendly on August 14 and has been replaced by in-form Harvy Mkacha.
Nyirenda said the Malawi Team delegation will be accommodated at Travel Lodge Hotel in Gaborone where by hosts nation will foot all the expenses for the Flames.
He said team is expected to fly out of Gaborone on August 4 for Nigeria
The squad is as follows:
Goalkeepers: Owen Chaima and Charles Swini
Defenders: James Sangala, Moses Chavula, John Lanjesi, Lucky Malata, Harry Nyirenda, George Nyirenda, Limbikani Mzava and Foster Namwera
Midfielders: Chimango Kayira, Micium Mhone, Douglas Chirambo, Robert Ng’ambi, Peter Wadabwa, Phillip Masiye, Dave Banda, Tawonga Chimodzi, John Christopher Banda
Strikers: Robin Ngalande, Atusaye Nyondo, Gabadinho Frank Banda, and Harvey Mkacha
Head Coach: Tom Saintfiet
Assistant Coaches: Eddington Ng’onamo and Patrick Mabedi
Team Manager: Aubrey Nankhuni
Team Doctor: Levi Mwale
Physio: Augustine Banda
Head of Delegation: David Dube (Executive Member)
