FAM justify Chavula, Dave Banda’s exclusion

FAM has justified the move to leave out Flames captain Moses ‘Luba’ Chavula and midfielder Dave Banda from the local squad that is scheduled to go into camp today in preparation for the 2014 World Cup qualifier against Namibia’s Brave Warriors.

Caretaker coach Eddington Ng’onamo and FAM chief executive officer Suzgo Nyirenda could not be reached for comment on the issue yesterday, but the association’s president Walter Nyamilandu said it was by design.

“The coach or indeed the FAM CEO would have been better placed to comment on the matter, but what I have gathered is that Moses has not been included because he is on the verge of signing for a Mozambican club [Ferroviario de Nacala]. So, he might be considered alongside the other foreign-based players.

“As for Dave, I hear he has some disciplinary issues to sort out at club level that have also affected his inclusion in the national team,” said Nyamilandu.

Mighty Wanderers general secretary David Kanyenda confirmed that Chavula is on the verge of signing for the Mozambican team.

“The team is coached by a Malawian Kannock Munde and my understanding is that he is supposed to be offered an outright deal depending on the outcome of their discussions.

“As you know, we had an open contract with all our returnees that they could leave at any time once they found a foreign club. So, I can only speculate that Moses is being regarded as a foreign-based player,” said Kanyenda.

Efforts to get a confirmation from Munde on Sunday proved futile.