4 flames players covid-19 positive
Four Flames stars are doubtful for this month’s crucial 2022 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifiers against South Sudan and Uganda after testing positive for Covid-19.
Goalkeeper Brighton Munthali, midfielders Micium Mhone and Chimwemwe Idana and right-back Stanley Sanudi.
Football Association of Malawi (FAM) competitions and communications director Gomezgani Zakazaka said in an interview yesterday that the four players, who are regulars, have left for camp.
He said: “Since camp started four weeks ago, we conduct routine tests as per our Covid-19 camping protocols.
“During the latest tests, four players’ results came out positive. The good thing is they are asymptomatic.”
Zakazaka said the four will remain in isolation under Flames doctors and may re-join the squad if they test negative.
“They have moved out of Mpira Village, but they have not been sent home as we normally do. They have moved into isolation under Flames doctors as they are expected to re-join camp as soon as they test negative,” he said.
Malawi will play South Sudan in Sudan on March 24 and Uganda at Kamuzu Stadium on March 29.
Meanwhile, coach Meck Mwase has downplayed the development saying the team is in good spirits.
The Flames mentor also said he is confident of having all foreign-based players he has earmarked for the two qualifiers.
He said: “We already sent requests to the European clubs to release the likes of Charles Petro, Francisco Madinga and Peter Banda and South African clubs to release our players.”
South Africa has Orlando Pirates’ Gabadinho Mhango, AmaZulu’s Limbikani Mzava, Polokwane’s Khuda Muyaba and Mike Mkwate, Baroka FC duo of Richard Mbulu and Dennis Chembezi.
But Mwase has to be prepared for anything since new Fifa rules have relaxed on release of players by clubs.
Under the new rules, clubs, more especially from Europe, are not obliged to release players if they are convinced that doing so would expose them to Covid-19 infection.
“We are just waiting for their response. Otherwise Mozambique-based players Schumacher Kuwali and John CJ Banda were already released by their clubs. Robin Ngalande will join the squad in Ethiopia since he is already based there,” said Mwase.
FAM has since secured Malawi an international friendly against Ethiopia to be played en route to Sudan.
Zakazaka said the team will depart earlier to play Ethiopia on March 20.
The Flames are third in their group with four points from four games, four points behind leaders Burkina Faso and three below second-placed Uganda’s Cranes. South Sudan anchor the four-team group with three points.
They need to win both their remaining matches against South Sudan and Uganda and hope that Uganda will not win their other fixture against Burkina Faso.
The last time Malawi qualified for the continental showpiece was in 2010 in Angola.
