Malawi squad leaves for Cosafa: Gaba, Jose and ‘Baggio’ not included

Malawi national football team Head Coach Young Chimodzi and his backroom staff have finally released names of players expected to fly to South Africa Thursday for the showdown at the 15th edition of the Cosafa Cup tournament.

The Flames will play their first game against the Mamba’s of Mozambique in the quarterfinal stage on Monday 25th May, 2015.

The technical panel has made few changes from the provisional squad that was earlier sent and published on Cosafa website.

The list of professionals on board includes defender Limbikani Mzava, midfielders Chimango Kaira, Gerald Phiri Jnr and Frank Banda, goalkeeper Charles Swini, plus strikers Robin Ngalande and Zicco Nkanda.

The locally based players list include Macdonald Harawa, Lucky Malata, Bashil Maunde, Yamikani Fodya, John Lanjesi, Francis Mlimbika, Chikoti Chirwa, Ernest Tambe, Fischer Kondowe, John Banda, Micium Mhone, Tizgobere Kumwenda and Muhammad Sulumba.

Regulars missing on the list include Captain Joseph Kamwendo who plays for TP Mazembe in DRC, Bloemfontein Celtic’s Gabadinho Mhango and Robert ‘Baggio’ Ng’ambi of Platinum Stars.

Mighty Be forward Wanderers first choice goalie Richard Chipuwa has also been dropped for the first time in over the past year.

Reports from South Africa indicates that Ng’ambi is still nursing a hamstring injury but confirmed that he will be available for the Flames African Cup of nations Qualifiers.

Expectations

Meanwhile, government and the Football association of Malawi (FAM) have expressed optimism that the team will do better having undergone good preparations.

Sports Minister Grace Obama Chiumia said the inclusion of new faces in the squad will bring new life into the team and do better despite losing to Zambia in a friendly two weeks ago.

“We expect to see wonders” said Chiumia.

On his part, FAM President Walter Nyamilandu has challenged to win the tournament and that there will be no an excuse if they fail to win the cup because his association provided everything the team needed in its preparations for the competition.

Flames previously managed to reach the final twice but lost in both occasions to South Africa and Zimbabwe.