Flames goalkeeper trainer McHodges Chunga is not among the 25-member squad that left the country on Thursday for Uganda’s capital Kampala for this year’s Cecafa Tusker Senior Challenge Cup tournament that starts on Saturday.
Chunga’s exclusion comes barely a week after FAM technical subcommittee announced that it would review the composition of the Flames coaching panel to add experts who can bring more value.
However, FAM chief executive officer Suzgo Nyirenda on Thursday insisted that Chunga’s exclusion has nothing to do with the proposed Flames technical committee review.
He said Chunga’s exclusion was based on logistical grounds.
“The instruction we got from Cecafa, who funded the team’s travel, was that only four technical members should make the trip and that is why Chunga could not travel,†said Nyirenda.
Chunga has long been considered head coach Kinnah Phiri’s trusted aid and was also part of backroom staff when he coached South African Premier Soccer League (PSL) side Free State Stars.
Flames long-time team doctor Matthews Mangondo has also not made the trip as he is supposed to attend a CAF medical seminar in Cameroon next week. He has been replaced by Levi Mwale.
Meanwhile, defender John Lanjesi and winger Bernard Harawa have made it into the final squad after over a year’s absence.
The notable new faces in the squad are Blue Eagles midfielders Micium Mhone and Patrick Masanjala.
The Flames first game will be against Rwanda on November 26.
The full squad is as follows: Officials: James Mwenda (team leader); Kinnah (head coach), Young Chimodzi (assistant coach), Stuart Mbolembole (team manager), Mwale (team doctor) Goalkeepers: Charles Swini, Owen Chaima and Richard Chipuwa; Defenders: Moses Chavula (Captain), Foster Namwela, Bongani Kaipa, Stevie Chagoma, George Nyirenda, Pilira Makupe and Lanjesi; Midfielders: Joseph Kamwendo (vice-captain), Masanjala, Mhone, Ndaziona Chatsalira, Chimango Kayira and Bernard Harawa; Strikers: Chiukepo Msowoya, Rodrick Gonani, Green Harawa and Innocent Bokosi.
