Chamangwana urges clubless Malawi professionals to return home

FAM technical director Jack Chamangwana has urged Malawian stars who are clubless in South Africa to return home and join local clubs to maintain fitness.

Chamangwana was referring to Flames trio of midfielder Dave Banda, defender Moses Chavula and striker Chiukepo Msowoya.

The three were released by their clubs Black Leopards, Amazulu and Orlando Pirates respectively despite their contracts still being intact.

“I know they are still looking for clubs outside Malawi, but that may take too long; hence, it might be good for them to come and rejoin local clubs.

“They will pick up and if they help Flames qualify for Afcon, they will get noticed. By the way, the standards of local football are on the rise again with club sponsorship coming back and it will not be a bad decision to come back,” said Chamangwana.

The former Flames international, who played and coached South African giants Kaizer Chiefs, admitted that there is politics in South African football and that is why Malawian players are finding it tough.

“You really need a strong mind as there are a lot of forces that frustrate players and for Malawian players, they normally do not have the backing of good managers.

“Coaches sometimes do not have power to sign or select players while some cases players are made to pay money to coaches to play or get signed, so it is a tricky situation. But the development does not mean that our player are not good technically,” said Chamangwana.

There are reports that Msowoya wants to join Bullets whereas Banda will definitely go back to Red Lions if he comes back to Malawi as he is still an MDF serving employee.

Already, goalkeeper Swadick Sanudi, midfielder Jacob Ngwira and defender Sankhani Mkandawire have rejoined Bullets after leaving South Africa two months ago in similar fashion.

They follow the footsteps of Bernard Harawa, Joseph Kamwendo, Fischer Kondowe and Grant Lungu who also got the boot from South African clubs last year.