Flames dealt blow
The Flames will be without four key players in tomorrow’s dead rubber 2022 Qatar World Cup qualifier against Mozambique in Benin.
The four are midfielders Gerald Phiri Jnr, Peter Banda, Chikoti Chirwa and John ‘CJ’ Banda.
In an interview yesterday, Football Association of Malawi (FAM) competitions and communications director Gomezgani Zakazaka said Phiri has been excused as he has to work on the logistics of his imminent trip to Sudan where he has signed for Al Hilal.
He said: “Peter Banda has been ruled out owing to an injury he sustained during Saturday’s qualifier against Cameroon. ‘CJ’ was shown the red card while Chikoti Chirwa will be serving a two-yellow cards suspension.
“It is a setback considering that we are fighting to avoid finishing bottom of the group.”
Zakazaka said the quartet will not be replaced and that the coach still has 19 players available for selection.
“It is a tight situation, but the coach will have to adjust and plan the match around the players that are available,” he said.
Flames coach Meck Mwase said the development is a blessing in disguise as it will also offer him an opportunity to try other players.
He said: “The only drawback is that most, if not all, of the players that have been ruled out are midfielders.
“This is also a match we cannot afford to lose if we are to maintain third position. So, we will find a way to deal with the situation.”
The Flames, who played the better part of the match against the Indomitable Lions with 10 men following Banda’s red card in the first half, were thumped 4-0 at Orlando Stadium in Johannesburg, which they are using as their home ground after Confederation of African Football (CAF) banned Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe from hosting the global showpiece qualifiers due to some shortfalls.
Malawi left Johannesburg for Benin on Saturday evening and were expected to arrive yesterday.
Mozambique will host the match in Benin after their national stadium was also condemned by CAF.
Malawi are third in the four team Group D with three points going into tomorrow’s last fixtures. They have only won one match against the Mambas and lost four, two each to Ivory Coast and Cameroon.
Mozambique anchor the group with a point earned after a goalless draw against group leaders Ivory Coast who have 13 points.
Cameroon are second with 12 points and the top-of-the-table clash between the two teams will determine the group winners who will proceed to the final round of qualification.
